The Three Hebrew Youths in the Fiery Furnace

Artist: Unknown

Dimensions: 20 x 30 inches

Date: Early 3^rd Century 300

Location: Christian Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, Italy

Medium: Fresco on Stucco

The Miracle: Daniel 3

The fresco emulates the Roman style of fluid paint and flowing brush strokes. The painting reflects the paleochristian style, which embodies early Christian illustrations of biblical events in the form of symbols and simple imagery. Artists were instructed to create works of art within the burial grounds in order to translate light and warmth within the frigid darkness to those buried awaiting the final resurrection. This piece was painted during the Middle Ages from 200 – 1400 CE, which means it was a point of intercession from ancient Roman and Greek civilization to the “new” Renaissance period. By Renaissance artists it was thought to have been a time of artistic darkness and cultural neglect, today historians label the period as a movement of exploration and Christian growth.

The painting illustrates the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, where Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar decrees that all people of his kingdom must fall down and worship to his golden image every day when the sound of music is heard. The three Jewish men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to partake in this idolatry and as a punishment are thrown into a blazing furnace. The three men are bound and shoved into the fire, even the three guards who placed them into the furnace burn to death. King Nebuchadnezzar watches the furnace intently to whiteness the men’s death, but instead the figures remain standing and a fourth body appears. The fourth body is Christ in the center of the flames protecting the men. In the painting Christ is represented in the form of the dove. The dove is a portrayal of the Holy Spirit, who descends from the heavens to deliver the men from the flames. The bird carries an olive branch in its mouth to symbolize the bearing of peace, comfort, and victory to the faithful followers. Nebuchadnezzar releases the men from the flames in awe of their God and their faith. He declares that no man who believes in their God is to be harmed.

The strong outlines of the figures produce the two-dimensionality, which flattens the painting and spiritualizes the figures. The hands are outstretched toward the sky in a prayer position that is depicted in the other human illustrations in the Catacombs. Early Christians would raise their hands to the heavens as a way to extend to God and reflect Christ’s outstretched arms on the cross. The raised arms convey the men’s liberation from the flames as they extend their thanks to God.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego truly conveys God’s miraculous capabilities of manipulating his own creation. God possesses the ability to prevent fire from burning; the Creator removes his creations natural instinct to protect his beloved, man. These men embody true disciples of God. They have such astounding faith in his might that they would jump into a flaming furnace in honor of his name. Their devotion burns as passionately and empowering as the flames that engulf them. These men inspire me to combat my own fires of failure, beauty, perfection, anxiety, and stress with a heart and mind empowered by Christ. To obtain a faithful soul who recognizes and trusts in God’s unfathomable divinity, glory, and supremacy.

Bibliography:

http://www.arsmar.com/ce_art.htm

Art Past and Present. Wilkins, David G, Schultz, Bernard, and Linduff, Katheryn M. Upper Saddle River. New Jersey. 2001. Print.