St Hugh in the Carthusian Refectory facts for kids
St Hugh in the Carthusian Refectory is a famous painting from 1655 by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán. Today, you can see it at the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville in Spain.
This painting shows a special moment with Bruno of Cologne and the first members of the Carthusian religious order. They are being served a meal by Hugh of Châteauneuf, who was the bishop of Grenoble at that time, and his young helper. In front of each monk, there is a clay bowl with meat and pieces of bread. You can also see two clay jugs, an overturned bowl, and two knives that were used for cutting the meat.
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The Story Behind the Painting
This painting tells an interesting story about the Carthusian monks and their strict rules. The Carthusian order is a group of monks known for their very simple and quiet way of life. They follow strict rules, including not eating meat.
The Bishop's Gift
One day, Bishop Hugh sent the monks a gift of meat. The monks had a big discussion about whether they should eat it. They wondered if it was okay to break their rule against eating meat, especially since it was a gift. While they were talking, they suddenly fell into a deep, dream-like state.
A Long Dream
Forty-five days later, Bishop Hugh sent a messenger to check on the monks. The messenger came back and reported something surprising. The Carthusian monks were still sitting exactly where they were, in front of the meat, even though it was already Lent. Lent is a time when many Christians give up certain foods, like meat.
The Meat Turns to Ash
Bishop Hugh decided to visit the monastery himself. When he arrived, the monks woke up from their long dream. Hugh asked Bruno, the leader, what day it was on the church calendar. Bruno told him a date from forty-five days earlier. He then explained their long debate about whether to eat the meat. As Bruno spoke, Bishop Hugh leaned closer to their plates. Right before their eyes, the meat on the plates turned into ash!
A Strict Rule
This amazing event helped the monks make a very important decision. They realized that there should be absolutely no exceptions to their rule against eating meat. This story shows how dedicated the Carthusian monks were to their beliefs and their way of life.
