LOOK: The Angel by Salvador Dalí
In 1947, Hallmark commissioned the famous modern artist Salvador Dalí to create a small set of original paintings for its Gallery Artists line of Christmas cards to hit the market in 1948. The Angel is one of them. Painted in his typical surrealist style, it shows a headless angel playing a lute, the snowy mountains in the background mimicking wings. At the bottom right, the newborn Christ lies naked on the ground, cushioned by straw and adored by his mother. On the left a shepherd sits on a tree stump, also playing a lute, its soundboard blending into the landscape in the background. At the warmth of their song, the snow begins to melt away.
LISTEN: “Celestial Hearts,” traditional Yorkshire carol | Arranged and performed by Kate Rusby on Holly Head (2019)
Come, let us all rejoice
To see this happy morn
We’ll tune our hearts and raise our voice
We’ll tune our hearts and raise our voice
Tune our hearts and raise our voice
Upon this Christmas morn
Upon this Christmas mornGo, humble swain, said he
To David’s city fly
A promised infant born today
A promised infant born today
A promised infant born today
Does in a manger lie
Does in a manger lieNow angels all on high
Sing heav’nly peace on earth
Goodwill to men and angels’ joy
Goodwill to men and angels’ joy
Goodwill to men and angels’ joy
Resound across the earth
Resound across the earthWith looks and hearts serene
Go see the babe, your king
A host of angels then was seen
A host of angels then was seen
A host of angels then was seen
The shepherds heard them sing
The shepherds heard them sing
From one of England’s most popular folk singers, Kate Rusby, comes a modern interpretation of the Yorkshire carol from Worrall and Oughtibridge known as “New Celestial” (Roud 17724). Rusby arranged this version with her husband and producer Damien O’Kane, adapting the traditional lyrics.
This post is part of a daily Christmas series that goes through January 6. View all the posts here, and the accompanying Spotify playlist here.
Art & Theology 