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I wrote on Sunday about the painting the The Thinking Housewife posted in an entry titled "Fathers and Angels," showing Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac to God. Caravaggio has not been a favorite of mine. But recently, I realize how delicately he paints expressions. In fact, of all the possible paintings, his was the one I chose to depict the terrible moment when Jesus is betrayed by one of his own disciples. The humility on Jesus's face as he is grabbed by Judas is so moving.
Caravaggio's style is still too harsh for me, and with too much contrast. But, I think his method is a way that allows him to focus on faces and expressions. The open and innocent expression of the young angel while he is giving the faithful Abraham a ram to sacrifice instead of his beloved son, shows Abraham that this is indeed a messenger from God. Again, the focused light on the young angel's face shows us that this is a psychological interaction, between God and man, and not one of will or power. Yes, our God is powerful, but how differently he shows us His ways compared to the relentlessly harsh and remorseless methods that the Allah of the Muslims prefers.