In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

The History of the Church 32 The Institution of the Viaticum The last Communion of a dying person, the viaticum, administered jointly with confession and extreme unction if possible, is not obligatory . However, it is strongly recommended by the Catholic and Orthodox churches if circumstances permit. Paintings illustrating the viaticum usually depict the exemplary last moments of a saint. The viaticum can also be seen in religious art “series” that picture all the sacraments, such as the canvases by Nicolas Poussin preserved in Grantham, England. These series include confirmation and ordination, themes that have inspired artists less frequently. Works not directly related to religion, but simply representing the drama of the final moments before death, may also show the administration of the “anointing of the sick” with the oil used on these occasions. Aimé Perret (1846–1927) Holy Viaticum in Burgundy Musée d’Orsay, Paris ...

Share