Today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. I offer two paintings for consideration. The first is Italian baroque from the 17th century. The artist is called Sassoferratu. It is in the National Gallery in London. I regularly used to pass the gallery on my way home from work and used to go in and look at paintings sometimes for just 15 minutes – this is possible when you don’t have to pay to get in. Long before I ever converted to Catholicism I was drawn to this particular painting which I found strikingly beautiful. The serene expression of the Virgin was a source of great delight to me.
The second is an icon painted by myself (based upon a Greek prototype) highlighted the personal relationship between Mother and Son.
Have a wonderful Feast day!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Wonderful icon! I just returned from Mass at our local parish. The way you painted faces touching and both bodies leaning into each other is just exactly what I see among the families in the pews.
Thank you Sarah
How do you have the time to do such beautiful work?
I love your latest Mary and Child. I am eager to get to the chapel and see your recent works. Blessing s on you for the new year.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures! I am coming to truly appreciate icon paintings. Yours depicts the closeness of Mother and Child in a way we humans can understand. I hope you will be blessed for sharing your talents with us in this way. I am not an art historian, but I am fascinated with the multiplicity of artistic representations inspired by Mary. I had not heard of Sassoferratu. Thank you for introducing him(?) to me. On an image search for Mary Mother of God, this one jumped out at me. Keep up the good work!