Christ blesses Bartholomew 

Mikhail Nesterov’s ‘Christ blesses Bartholomew’ is an oil painting on canvas that presents a scene of spiritual encounter. The loose brushwork and muted palette suggest a process of layering and blending. The texture of the paint gives a tactile quality to the figures and the landscape. This material presence emphasizes the human aspect of the divine encounter. The painting has an expressive quality that traditional artistic practices and aesthetics capture. Nesterov engaged with the conventions of religious iconography but set within a humble, rural environment. The artist emphasizes themes of faith, simplicity, and connection to the land. The painting illustrates the role of religious belief in everyday life. It encourages viewers to reflect on their values, and relationship with the spiritual realm. By focusing on both the ethereal and earthly aspects of this meeting, Nesterov challenges the traditional boundaries between the sacred and the mundane.