An interesting definition, if not description, of contemplation, is found in The Secular Journal of Thomas Merton, Farrar, Straus, & Cudahy, New York, 1959.
Merton is looking at the picture above. This is Fra Angelico's "Temptation of St. Anthony." This subject, St. Anthony of the Desert's temptation is a common theme, among artists, probably because it's so open to each person's interpretation of "temptation." In Fra Angelico's, it's the world. That's a lump of gold, in the lower right side. I tend to think the temptation was everything (like all of us). However, since he was a consecrated hermit, the temptation was probably theological doubt.
When Merton looks at St. Anthony he notes the background. The saint is in the middle of dry gullies, yet in the background are trees. He's in a desert, yet we see a city. Are you getting the idea? Anyway, St. Anthony is surprised, look at the way his cape is draped. His arms are in the "infant startle position."
In the back is a church on a hill. (Go Anthony, go!)
"Just as prayer leads to stillness, and timelessness in contemplation, so the action of this picture leads to contemplation on an esthetic level. Therefore looking at a picture demands penetration, understanding, meditation. If people looked at good pictures more, they would learn more about meditation, and if they meditated more they would learn more about looking at pictures."
Merton goes on about that startle movement of St. Anthony's. "By realizing what constitutes the action in a good picture, we can get some sort of analogical grasp of what the joys of the blessed are in heaven." That's because of the joy we receive by looking at good art, listening to good music, reading good books, enjoying the company of good friends, and contemplating the good God.
