Heaven Sent - St. Angela Merici is a painting by Mark Bray which was uploaded on February 24th, 2015.
Title
Heaven Sent - St. Angela Merici
Artist
Mark Bray
Medium
Painting - Oil On Canvas
Description
Following a tradition started by the Roman Catholic Church and Masters of Religious Art some 1500 years ago, we are presented with a Portrait of Angela Merici completed in a "Saintly manner". She is adorned with all the finery befitting her status and is surrounded by objects that help tell her story.
St. Angela is dressed in white representing Purity and Chastity. Around her waist she wears the knotted rope belt made notable by St. Francis and his Order � the 3 knots representing Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Around her head we see the traditional gold halo that signifies her status as a Saint according to the Catholic Church. In her left hand we find St. Angela supporting a staff that represents Pilgrimage and the many travels she experienced during her lifetime. The staff is topped with a Crucifix, the style of which can also be attributed to the Franciscan Order. In her right hand she carries a book (Bible) demonstrating her love for learning and for her dedication to the education of others. St. Angela was known for her ability to educate and spread the word of God simultaneously.
Inside the ruins behind St. Angela is a ladder � the ladder represents one of her most prominent visions that ultimately led her to found the Order of Ursulines. The Keystone in the Arch, above her head, contains a tribute to the Ursuline Academy and to St. Ursula � the constellation of the �Little Bear� or �Ursa Minor� � after which Ursula was named.
The Dove, in religious art, can represent many things � in this painting it represents a calling from above � a calling that Angela recognized and understood at a very young age.
Uploaded
February 24th, 2015
