For source images, (if you aren't already familiar with it) there are thousands of high quality downloadable pieces available on the National Gallery of Art website (nga.gov), all in a searchable collection. I've come across some amazing pieces there that I used to make picture books for my nieces and nephews to look at during Mass (although there are some rather distasteful ones to weed through too).
This is marvellous, Hilary - thank you for bringing such beauty into our lives! I’m among the many Catholics who’ve rarely brought any Catholic devotional pieces into my home because (as you’ve explained so well) they were predominantly sentimental/kitschy. When I came across an art poster from the Met, Duccio di Buoninsegna’s Madonna and Child, I was captivated. Had it framed and it was a focal point in my living room for years. Love the new section of your shop - holds lots of promise of bringing beauty into many more home! Bravo! (Will be on the lookout for any courses too.)
Well, I don't know what you mean exactly by Carmelite works. This is a 19th century icon in what the Russians call the Academic style, (widely denigrated in the iconographer community as naturalistic and rather tawdry). The icon model is known in the West as the "Virgin of Tenderness", properly called the Eleusa icon in Greek. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleusa_icon
There are a few Carmelite icon painters out there, and of course there are all sorts of Western icons of Carmelite saints, but as far as I know there's no such thing as "Carmelite works" in terms of style.
LifeSite has an interesting article on the icon Advocata in Rome, have you seen it, and would you ever copy it? I think I would travel to Rome just to see it.
There are a few contenders for the "first portrait of Our Lady by St. Luke" . LifeSite needs to be more careful who they publish uncritically. Paul Badde is not an art historian of any description, but is a sensationalist journalist.
You can read all about this icon here. It is already very famous in the iconography world, and is ONE of the paintings that are traditionally thought may have been painted by St. Luke. But there is very little evidence to support it other than a verbal tradition.
It probably has the reputation of antiquity because it predates Iconoclasm, and is therefore a survivor of early Byzantine painting. It has been scientifically dated to the 6th century or earlier.
I loved reading your story of re-invention! I spent only one year reporting in Rome and it was very tiring… how amazing that you could do it for so long.
Would you by any chance be willing to be interviewed for my Outside the Box series? https://www.substack.claritylifeconsulting.com/s/outside-the-box. I would love to feature you- your journey is such a great example of willingness to pivot and not be hemmed in by career as the only important thing in life.
This is fantastic!!
For source images, (if you aren't already familiar with it) there are thousands of high quality downloadable pieces available on the National Gallery of Art website (nga.gov), all in a searchable collection. I've come across some amazing pieces there that I used to make picture books for my nieces and nephews to look at during Mass (although there are some rather distasteful ones to weed through too).
All over it. The great libraries and museums all over the world are digitising their collections.
In the block of 9 photos, who is the gentleman in the top left photo ? (The one above Chris Ferrara & Michael Matt).
The late lamented Fabio Bernabei, a fine Italian pro-family campaigner and a friend.
Thank you !
I love your journey and what you are doing now. This is the Way.
Thank you for this! Very interesting and inspiring.
This is marvellous, Hilary - thank you for bringing such beauty into our lives! I’m among the many Catholics who’ve rarely brought any Catholic devotional pieces into my home because (as you’ve explained so well) they were predominantly sentimental/kitschy. When I came across an art poster from the Met, Duccio di Buoninsegna’s Madonna and Child, I was captivated. Had it framed and it was a focal point in my living room for years. Love the new section of your shop - holds lots of promise of bringing beauty into many more home! Bravo! (Will be on the lookout for any courses too.)
Curious if you know of any Carmelite works as icons similar to this: https://www.sistersofcarmel.com/crowned-our-lady-of-mount-carmel-icon-plaque/
Well, I don't know what you mean exactly by Carmelite works. This is a 19th century icon in what the Russians call the Academic style, (widely denigrated in the iconographer community as naturalistic and rather tawdry). The icon model is known in the West as the "Virgin of Tenderness", properly called the Eleusa icon in Greek. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleusa_icon
There are a few Carmelite icon painters out there, and of course there are all sorts of Western icons of Carmelite saints, but as far as I know there's no such thing as "Carmelite works" in terms of style.
Thank you. I will hunt around for Carmelite icon painters and avoid the academic style.
These Italian Carmelites seem to have a nice laboratorio for icons.
https://www.monasterocarmelitane.it/monastero/lavoro/laboratorio-iconografia/
Have heard it suggested that the current Pontiff is a lot like that "freewheeling, non-judgmental" parent, with similar effects writ large.
Fortunately for me, at least, I'm not given to blaming anyone else for my own isses.
Yes, I think the technical term is "deadbeat dad"
LifeSite has an interesting article on the icon Advocata in Rome, have you seen it, and would you ever copy it? I think I would travel to Rome just to see it.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/this-author-may-have-discovered-the-original-painting-of-our-lady-by-st-luke/?utm_source=most_recent&utm_campaign=usa
There are a few contenders for the "first portrait of Our Lady by St. Luke" . LifeSite needs to be more careful who they publish uncritically. Paul Badde is not an art historian of any description, but is a sensationalist journalist.
You can read all about this icon here. It is already very famous in the iconography world, and is ONE of the paintings that are traditionally thought may have been painted by St. Luke. But there is very little evidence to support it other than a verbal tradition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Advocata_(Madonna_del_Rosario)
It probably has the reputation of antiquity because it predates Iconoclasm, and is therefore a survivor of early Byzantine painting. It has been scientifically dated to the 6th century or earlier.
And yes, I’d totally join the throng of people copying it. For sure. It’s gorgeous.
Thank you! The claims on LifeSite were intriguing but not conclusive (to me), but the icon’s face is so relatable, I can believe it is a portrait!
I loved reading your story of re-invention! I spent only one year reporting in Rome and it was very tiring… how amazing that you could do it for so long.
Would you by any chance be willing to be interviewed for my Outside the Box series? https://www.substack.claritylifeconsulting.com/s/outside-the-box. I would love to feature you- your journey is such a great example of willingness to pivot and not be hemmed in by career as the only important thing in life.
I might think about it. Send me a dm.