Hail Mary Print

The Vera Icon with a GoldenTear	Matted size: 11 x 14 Mat color: Cream Price: $185.00 This museum print is a limited edition, archival print that is hand gilded with genuine 23k gold, signed by the artist and comes with a certificate of authenticity. IBelonging to the tradition of religious images known as acheiropoietai (”not made by human hands”) the Vera Icon or the Sacred Head of Christ is based on one of the earliest and most influential images of this type, a panel painting by Jan van Eyck, the original of which has been lost. This depiction of the Sacred Head is surrounded by a cruciform nimbus of precious gems made up of Rubies and Amethyst, forming three cruciform shapes representing the Trinity. The four Rubies symbolize the four wounds of the hands and feet, the amethyst, a symbol of the chastening and purifying effects of suffering is also a symbol of hope, so it also references the wound in the side of Christ from whence the Church was born. Pearls, while symbolizing wisdom also symbolize the purifying effects of suffering as they begin as silt or a grain of sand which enters into an oyster’s shell and becomes an irritant. The oyster, trying to remedy the situation coats the sand with layer after layer of concentric circles of translucent, mother-of- pearl, only to make it bigger and bigger and thus even more of an irritant; but the final result is a perfectly round, shiny, iridescent pearl;
“Son though he was, he learned obedience through what he suffered: and when he was made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” The nimbus is completed by the fleur-de- lis, symbolizing His Kingship. The Flemish technique of painting the head of Christ is similar to the making of a pearl; It all begins with a drawing in grisaille, (a gray drawing) upon which layer after layer of transparent colors are applied in various dilutions of washes and glazes, using a variety of strokes and stipple effects to create visual blending until a beautiful, brilliant, translucent countenance appears believed to be taken from the likeness of the image of the famous relic, Veronica’s Veil, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A single golden tear exudes from the image. Christ is presented in a red robe of martyrdom, held together by a clasp made from a garnet stone, a Christian symbol of suffering and sacrifice. He is set against a blue background which represents the celestial firmament and symbolizes Truth. Above Christ’s head are inscribed the Alpha and Omega, and beside his head a “P” and an “F” for “Principium” and “ Finis” (the Beginning and the End). These are inscribed in silver and gold. Each corner of the miniature is silver, (palladium), and represents the four corners of the earth, which are punctuated with a nail of the crucifixion; " The words of Yahweh are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." Gold, represents wisdom, faith and knowledge, and for temple usage it is re-refined in fire and references “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Vera Icon $185.00 Mat Options:
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Copyright 2009 Harvest Crittenden, Acorn Arts. All rights reserved. The works contained within these pages are original art and covered under copyright law. Reproduction in any form without expressed written permission is prohibited.