Joseph Surface Gallery

Since antiquity, items found in domestic spaces, churches, or businesses have been stored in rectangular or arched niches cut into walls. Depicting 3D images within a 3D space became a staple of painting. The artistic challenge was to create the illusion of space--whether niche or cabinet--behind the actual picture plane. Convincingly rendered things that illusionistically filled such “recessed” spaces would tempt the viewer to reach in and try to take them. If an artist succeeded in bringing off the illusion, only the touch of the viewer’s hand on the painted surface--a sensation utterly different from what was expected--would disrupt it.

In this painting by Hans Memling, a jeweled, golden goblet is placed in a gray-violet stone niche. The illusionistic, red-eyed snake in the goblet is striking and highly unusual; it may refer to John the Evangelist’s power to exorcise demons. What feeling do you have while looking at this work of art? Do you think Memling intended you to be fooled by this niche and chalice?

Hans Memling, “Chalice of Saint John the Evangelist [reverse],” c. 1470/1475, oil on panel, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1952.5.46.b

If you absorb one thing this week, make it poet Jane Kenyon's advice to writers – some of the wisest words for any human being to live by: https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/09/15/jane-kenyon-advice-on-writing/