Every morning when I leave my bathroom, I come across this painting « Two Dromedaries and a Donkey » by Paul Klee from 1919.
Its warm yellow, orange and ochre tones evoke joy and serenity, these « pyramid-shaped » dromedaries and the donkey following with its head bowed make us smile and take us to the Middle East. They leave areas of dark turbulence, a city or a bridge, and move under a still threatening cloud towards the East, towards the light.
We, readers of the Gospels are quick to associate this scene with the journey of the Wise Men from the East after Christmas. In view of the current events in Gaza, we should also remember the massacre of innocent children ordered by Herod and the flight of Joseph and Mary…..
And yet: the light that illuminates the animals is largely replicated in the foundation of their path, here and there a little vegetation blossoms the desert. Solid elements seem to be waiting for them.
Of course, there is shade there too. But at the bottom, the hands of the earth form a circle to support and protect them. Where they go, the light is more intense than where they come from.
I wish you and us to be able to travel like these dromedaries and this donkey in 2024. Merry Christmas !
