The House of Mary and Martha

by Ed Copley

Size: 22x18
Medium: Oil on Linen

After Johannes Vermeer, 1655, 22"x18"
Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving: and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things: one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."
In the Vermeer painting I always loved the strong play of shadow and light, the characterization of the figures and handling of the paint which was probably inspired by the work of Caravaggio's art.
This was the only known work of a biblical subject by Vermeer. St Luke's Gospel which tells of Christ's visit to the sisters house. Christ praised Mary's willingness to sit and listen to his teachings, unlike Martha who was preoccupied with housekeeping. --Ed Copley