Madonna & Child
Here Jesus looks at our world with the bright eyes of childhood, with wonder, safe in the arms of his mother.
In 2006, the original (8x10 inches) oil painting was sold by Lewis Art Gallery in Omaha, Nebraska.
My thoughts while painting:
How Mary must have loved you.
Help me to love You, too.
"Behold the Light" is a more naturalistic painting than one I did in 2007 called "Sweet Grace." One viewer told me she loved seeing Jesus "as more Hebrew and Galilean in appearance, as a Jewish baby, as not Nordic.” She suggested that Hispanics may like the image.
Julia Willson Prokes purchased the original oil painting on the same day I had delivered it to Lewis Art Gallery in Omaha, Nebraska. Julie kindly said I may include here her own description of her thoughts and feelings when she first saw the oil painting. Julie composes music and lyrics. I enjoy listening to her lovely music on CD while painting.
"Behold the Light" is the name of the painting. I found myself staring at it in awe as unbidden tears started flowing. As a mother of five, I noticed first that the boy Jesus has His finger intertwined with His mother's. How many of my own children had done the exact same thing to me innumerable times! Their baby fingers had reached for mine, wanting connection. "At last," I thought, a real child portrayed in art!" All the Madonna and Child paintings in the world could not have moved me more.
The subtle symbolism of the piece reached me next. Mary's sleeve has a light blue heart design--but it is juxtaposed. Her veil carries a faint crown of thorns, a foreshadowing of the great suffering she herself would endure as the mother Jesus.
Jesus appears as a bright-eyed, light-brown-skinned boy with curly black hair. Tiny stars, as opposed to a typical halo, radiate from His head. He is placed at the center of the work, being held prominently by His mother for us to behold.
Mary is young, graceful, and serene with downcast eyes. She is taking tender care of the Child, lovingly and willingly for all of humanity.
For Mary's garment, I was inspired by a statue in a historic church along the Missouri River in Brownville, Nebraska. I gleaned information from my personal library of books about the Bible, historical costumes, and Christian art. Patchwork and embroidery were done by Egyptians and Romans in the time of Christ. My husband said the image reminded him of Byzantine art and of Eastern Rite Catholicism. The color blue has been used for Mary throughout Christian tradition to show her purity.
My thanks to Janice of Brownville for suggesting the title.
Please send your questions and requests to Nancy
by email: nancylee@nancyleemoran.com
or phone: 402-274-3040 Central time
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