Beauty Will Save the World: A Dialogue Between Art and Faith
- Koöko Fleurs
- Sep 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 3
The Collège des Bernardins in Paris offers a profound counterpoint: a space where art and theology meet to contemplate the invisible. The exhibition Épiphanies, featuring the works of painter Augustin Frison-Roche and the reflections of theologian Olric de Gélis, invites us to rediscover beauty not as ornament, but as revelation.
Art as a Manifestation of the Sacred
Echoing Dostoevsky’s famous line—“Beauty will save the world”—and Pope John Paul II’s 1999 Letter to Artists, the exhibition explores how art can unveil glimpses of divine presence. Frison-Roche’s paintings, designed specifically for the architecture of the Bernardins, are not mere representations but invitations to journey through manifestations of the sacred. His canvases evoke biblical epiphanies—the Adoration of the Magi, the Baptism of Christ, the Wedding at Cana—while also drawing from nature and music as sources of transcendence.
Theology in Conversation with Creation
Olric de Gélis, priest and director of research at the Bernardins, brings a theological lens to this artistic exploration. His work, influenced by thinkers like Bruno Latour and Gregory Quenet, emphasizes ecology and the human relationship with Creation. For de Gélis, the plural “epiphanies” signals not only liturgical moments but also the divine revealed through nature. A forest becomes a basilica; a newborn’s face mirrors the wonder of the cosmos.
The Gaze That Transforms
Both artist and theologian agree: the gaze is central. To truly see Creation, one must look with love, with a “second naiveté”—a mature wonder that transcends cynicism. Frison-Roche speaks of reclaiming the childlike awe that first drew him to nativity scenes and village churches. De Gélis insists that without tenderness toward others, one cannot perceive the divine in nature.
Resonance in a Noisy World
In a society dominated by acceleration, Hartmut Rosa’s concept of “resonance” becomes vital. Art and faith offer moments where time slows, dialogue deepens, and meaning emerges. Whether through a painting or a homily, these experiences help us reconnect with ourselves and the world.
Creation, Redemption, and the Role of Humanity
Rather than viewing humanity as a destructive force, both voices affirm the Christian ecological vision: humans are capable of enriching Creation. The diversity of apple varieties, the harmony of cultivated landscapes—these are not betrayals of nature but extensions of its beauty. Yet, in a time of ecological crisis, the call to repair and redeem becomes urgent. Art, in this context, is not passive—it mobilizes hope, invites healing, and teaches us to create anew.
Our last thought....
Art is not merely visual—it is visceral. It is not confined to canvas or sculpture, nor limited to what the eye can see. True art is felt before it is understood. It stirs something ancient and intimate within us, something that words often fail to name.
In the dialogue between Augustin Frison-Roche’s paintings and Olric de Gélis’s theology, we are reminded that art is spiritual by nature. It is a language of the soul, a silent liturgy that transcends doctrine and dogma. Whether through brushstroke, melody, or movement, art becomes a vessel for presence—for mystery—for grace.
To encounter art is to be invited into communion. It is not passive observation but active participation in something sacred. A painting may depict the Baptism of Christ, but what it evokes is our own longing for renewal. A forest rendered in pigment may awaken awe not for the trees alone, but for the breath of God that animates them.
Art, in this sense, is essence. It is not decoration—it is revelation. It does not merely reflect reality—it deepens it. And when faith enters the frame, art becomes sacramental: a sign of the invisible, a whisper of eternity.
In a world that often demands proof, art dares to offer presence. It does not argue—it resonates. It does not instruct—it invites. And in that invitation, we find ourselves not just looking, but being seen.
Details:
Collège des Bernardins
Du lundi au samedi de 10h à 18h. Fermeture les dimanches et les jours fériés.
20 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris.
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