Saint Martin And The Beggar

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and tSaint Martin and the Beggar, by El Greco, is a work that depicts a transformative moment in the life of St. Martin. A quote from Pope Benedict XVI sums up the theme behind the example of this meditation: “Those who draw near to God do not withdraw from men, but rather become truly closer to them.” Martin, a prominent soldier, was willing to give his royal cloak to a beggar. The following night he envisioned Christ wearing the cloak. El Greco depicts this small act of charity that soon became a profound meaning of life for Saint Martin. This picture relates the film Babette’s Feast because like Saint Martin, Babette was willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. Also, in the end, the one receiving it was able to see the beauty in truth. El Greco depicts St. Martin dressed in elegant clothes, with the beggar in nothing. Babette also, came from a lifestyle of luxury and transcended into the style of the sisters who lived simplistically. The figure of the beggars form is distorted, yet he is depicted in an elongated form that conveys the beggar’s true identity of an otherworld. The beggar correlated to the sisters and their family because despite how their simplistic persona they truly wanted their hearts to be in the right place. Also, El Greco illustrates the essence of Christian charity in the eyes as each of the figures has a gaze of mercy and love, despite the social differences. This illustration invites us to share the same love of God that we may spontaneously find in others, as images of
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