This painting is titled Young Girl in the Window. The German Impressionist painter, Max Slevogt (1868-1932) created it. Remember, impressionist painters aren't trying to do exactly what a camera would have done, but to give us an impression. They want us to feel or sense something. This kind of painting can take you somewhere interiorly. I'd say impressionist paintings are invitational.
This is Wisteria blooming in the second half of May. But this great vine-plant is not only blooming but climbing, as it attaches itself to the wall of the house, encircling the window and the young admire-r. Wisteria is also highly fragrant, so I'd suggest the girl is not only looking, but she's breathing deeply. She might also be feeling the morning sun on her face as she leans on the window ledge and starts the day looking up and out.
When I stumbled on this painting, the words of Jesus came to mind, "Look up and see." Those four words are spoken by Jesus towards the end of the long and self-revealing conversation sitting with the woman of Samaria at the well. John 4:4-42.
Jesus is an itinerant preacher; he doesn't sit in the temple or at home waiting for people to come to him. And in his travels (as happens here) he often crosses boundaries which take him into areas and districts where many would say he should not go. Venturing into forbidden territories he risks religious contamination.
In sitting with the woman of Samaria at the well, Jesus has twice crossed a barrier — she is not his wife and her people were considered to be heretical. That conversation alone crossed a barrier. But by the end of it, the woman had become an evangelist (a spreader of good news). Elevating people whose religion was considered to be false (remember the story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10: 25-37) and holding them up as heroes, patterns or models is itself crossing a boundary. And as that barrier breaking, boundary crossing conversation comes to a close, Jesus tells those around him to, "Look up and see," verse 35.
But "Look up and see," isn't just a directive for disciples centuries ago, but for me, if my religion is alive.
Look up and see — Mystery is near.
Look up and see — God's purposes are overarching.
Look up and see — Beyond the bubble world.
Look up and see — Wonder is pressing against us.
Look up and see — I don't have to live in resentment.
Look up and see — The ridiculous is being sold as sound.
Look up and see — Into the secreted and small.
Look up and see — What a Christic life looks like.
Look up and see — There are signs of hope.
Look up and see — So I can be grateful.
Look up and see — The "others" are waiting for love.
Look up and see — the unimaginable.
