The Angelus: Jean-Francois Millet (1859)

The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet (1859) is probably one of the most famous of his works.  It is simply beautiful in it's representation of the faithful pausing for prayer during their work in the field.  This beautiful devotion in honor of the Incarnation of Our Lord and veneration of his Blessed Mother as a form of commemorating the Annuciation is recited at morning, noon, and evening at the sound of a bell rung in many churches, religious houses and institutions.  From early times the ringing of the bells consisted of nine strokes in groups of three with a pause between.  However, nowadays, this is followed by a series of nine even strokes. 

In so many countries the Angelus was, and is, particularly associated with peace arising in the tradition that the Annunciation took place in the peace of eveningtide.

"Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae" (The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary)

We have chosen a few of Millet's works for our April Artist study.

Also we are incorporating the Angelus prayer into our daily noon prayer time.  If we are away from table time, then I will ring a little bell to commemorate the tolling in so many countries around the world for the call to prayer.

Violet and Matthias will copy this beautiful verse for their copywork notebooks: 

I hear the Angelus ring out…Each

Morning, noon and night…And

Everything of life becomes…More beau-

tiful and bright…The Angel of the Lord

is there…And Mary bows her head

…In humble recognition of…The

message that is said…Each day I listen

to her words…And cherish every one

…”Behold the handmaid of the Lord

…And may Your will be done”…

And so the miracle was wrought…And

there was born a Child…While king

and shepherd knelt in awe…And holy

Angels smiled…I hear the Angelus ring

out…And softly fade away…And

in my heart I know The Lord…Has

blest another day.

(Poem courtesy of A Wreath of Flowers:  Marian Activities for Children)

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Tags: Art Arts  Artists  Europe Religion  Writing and poetry

Comments

[Rebecca]

Meredith, Thanks for the information on Millet's painting. It is one of my favorites. Our family goes is off and on saying the Angelus. I would like it to become more of a regular habit. I really like the poem, too. Thanks so much!

[Helen]

Thanks Meredith!
I needed an artist for April.
Guess what? I just did a search and Millet has a self portrait. It is in the Boston Museum of Fine Art:
http://www.mfa.org/collections/search_art.asp?recview=true&id=31036

Road trip?

[Alice Gunther]

When I was a child, our family often visited a German restaurant with a large mural of Millet's Angelus painted on the wall. I also remember our trips to Ireland and how the entire country would stop to say the Angelus every day at noon. Thanks for bringing these lovely memories back to my mind.

[Meredith]

Oh, thanks for the link Helen, yes I would love a road trip!! Alice your memories sound lovely!

[Elizabeth Foss]

This is lovely Meredith! I think we've just found an artist for May...

[Jacque]

The Angelus is fantastic. It is my favorite piece of art. I love the poem from A Wreath of Flowers: Marian Activities for Children. I did a web search and can't find anything. Where can I find this?
Thank you in advance.

[Karen E.]

I love Millet, too, and the Angelus hangs in our living room. :-)