Jesus Confounding the Elders 1996

Frank Mason made this oil painting of Jesus Confounding the Elders in 1996. What strikes me is how the painting seems to emerge from the darkness. It's not about clean lines but about how light reveals form. The texture of the paint is something to behold; it’s not flat but built up in layers, especially around the faces, giving them a sculptural quality. See the way the light catches the folds of their robes, how the brushwork dances in and out of focus. It’s like Mason is building the scene out of light and shadow, pushing and pulling us into the space. There’s a real sense of depth, achieved through the handling of paint. This painting reminds me a bit of Rembrandt, not in subject but in mood. Both artists knew how to use darkness to make the light even more meaningful. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is never truly finished, but always evolving in our minds.