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Oil and gold leaf on black walnut wood, 26x37”

This giclée print is taken from my original oil and gold leaf painting on black walnut wood.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help means “leader of the way”.  Invoking the Mother of Our Lord to lead the way to her Son in all things is at the forefront of presenting this image. In this iconography, Mary is represented as the one who guides us to the Redeemer. The Virgin Mother is also our Help who intercedes with her Son on our behalf.

The miraculous icon is painted on black walnut wood and measures about 26x 37" inches and depicts the Virgin Mary, under the title “Mother of God,” holding the Child Jesus. 

The Archangels Michael and Gabriel, hovering in the upper corners, hold the instruments of the Passion. St. Michael (in the left corner) holds the spear, the wine-soaked sponge, and the crown of thorns. St. Gabriel (in the right corner) holds the cross and the nails. 

The intent of the original artist was to portray the Child Jesus contemplating the vision of His future Passion. Frightened by the vision, he runs to his mother for consolation. The anguish He feels is shown by the loss of one of His sandals as he quickly flees into the arms of his Mother.

Despite a foreboding vision of suffering, the icon also conveys the triumph of Christ over sin and death, symbolized by the golden background as a sign of the glory of the resurrection. The royal crowns on the heads of Jesus and Mary also symbolize their triumph as the King of Kings with his Queen Mother.

In a very beautiful way, the Child Jesus grasps the hand of the Blessed Mother.  He seeks comfort from His mother as He sees the instruments of His passion.  The position of Mary’s hands – both holding the Child Jesus (who seems like a small adult) and at the same time presenting Him to us – convey the reality of our Lord’s incarnation, that He is a true God who became also true man.

Oil-painted with gold leaf on a reclaimed slab of black walnut wood, this gorgeous piece is filled with Catholic symbolism and deep meaning and will make a terrific addition to your home or parish.