Jean Metzinger was a French Modernist. He painted Au Velodrome in the Cubist style, imposing geometric shapes and angles over this human form. This is a scene from the finish of a grueling bicycle race from Paris to Roubaix, a desperately difficult 155 miles over rough terrain and cobblestones. After those many miles, this race ended on the wooden banked track of the velodrome in Roubaix pictured here. 

Metzinger was the first Modernist to represent a specific sport. That he was a fan and amateur bicyclist seem to be painted on this canvas. The disjointed image of this racer might seem familiar to anyone who has done endurance racing. The determination, the struggle, the falling apart required by such a challenge can lead one to feel like this at the end. All of the angles of limbs screaming to stop and the see-through head space holding the nearly unavoidable delirium of the required, sustained mental focus might ring true. This painting depicts the self-imposed bludgeoning of these athletic accomplishments. Even the bicycle’s tires look exhausted.

It has been eleven months since our pandemic endurance race began. No wonder many of us are feeling the physical and mental impact of this unwelcome marathon. We may be feeling disjointed, disoriented, exhausted, and even transparent also. And there is an important difference between us and the athlete in Metzinger’s image. We are not alone like a man on a bicycle travelling a timed distance. We instead travel through uncertain times and distances together now. In our caring and connections, in our times to share, to listen, to laugh and cry, to be reminded, we can hope to build the strength and community necessary to bring all of us across the finish line. God gave us each other. Let’s lock arms and finish together – following the protocols, sharing encouragement, and saying our humble, bewildered, faithful prayers in God’s vibrant name and love. Amen.

In faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church