From the gray of Ash Wednesday to the brilliant dawn of Easter Sunday, the season of Lent is a journey through color. And so what better guides to this journey than the words of Scripture and the art of Henri Matisse, one of the most daring, influential artists in modern history?

(For a family-oriented version of this devotional, check out “Into the Wild: A Family-Friendly Devotional on Henri Matisse and the Season of Lent.” And by the way, the two resources are designed so they can be used side-by-side, for families who want to explore the season together, across generations.)

In this devotional full of Scripture, art, and weekly practices, we walk alongside Matisse from his childhood in northern France to what he called his “masterpiece,” the Chapel of the Rosary in Vence.

He once said he liked to pray with a pencil: “At the moment I go every morning to say my prayers, pencil in hand; I stand in front of a pomegranate tree covered in blossom, each flower at a different stage, and I watch their transformation… filled with admiration for the work of God. Is this not a way of praying?”

So grab a pencil (or a paintbrush!), your favorite Bible, and a decent internet connection (all the paintings referenced here can be found online, and each purchase comes with a companion “Link Sheet” pdf for guidance). Week by week, we’ll travel through the colors of Lent – all the way to the beautiful, joyful dawn of Easter morning.

The scriptural passages in this devotional correspond to Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary – but since their themes are universal, this devotional can be used fruitfully during any Lenten season.

Files: This listing is for a downloadable PDF, printing instructions, an e-reader version, and a companion “Link Sheet” with hyperlinks to all the art mentioned in the devotional.

Please note: you will not receive a physical product as this is a digital download. This resource is for personal use only, which means it may not be reproduced commercially, duplicated, or resold :)