Sometimes in our lives the simplest moments can also be the most poignant, and in Joseph's case, divine. This painting, entitled simply Father and Son, is one such moment. It depicts Joseph and a young Jesus working in the carpenter's shop. Joseph is watching Jesus as He planes a piece of wood. As a parent, it is very rewarding to pass our skills and knowledge on to our children. What parent hasn't felt joy when their child first rolls down the sidewalk on their bike or learns to hit a baseball? Joseph had to have experienced this same human emotion as he shared his skills as a woodworker with Jesus.
The other dimension to this painting concerns the light streaming through the arched window in the background. This is meant to symbolize the presence of God the Father, Who is also experiencing divine joy and love for His Son. The title, Father and Son, alludes to the fact that Jesus is under the watchful, loving eyes of both His earthly father and His Heavenly Father.
— Corbert Gauthier
|