Excellent piece. You wrote, "He is seated inconspicuously, and his clothing blends in with that of other cardinals." The fact that one is seated and the others are standing is evidence of the monarchal privilege of the chair. No one is allowed to sit in the presence of the ruler.
The fin de siècle and the first couple of decades of the 20th century were a highlight in illustration. It's not sacred art, but if you look at children's books of the time and artists such as Arthur Rackham (Jack the Giant Killer - my mum read me those stories when I was young), and even EH Shepherd, who did the Winnie the Pooh drawings
My grandmother had so many wonderfully illustrated children’s books and poetry books from this period. She used to read them to us and gave me a few of them.
One of my favorites is her copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales with illustrations by Arthur Rackham.
So…good art does imitate real life, I suppose. What lessons for today this history contains! As you show us.
When my eye was drawn to Catherine I thought the word: “serene.” The saint’s serenity and authority were truly grounded in everything you point out.
Also, I noticed the interesting and lively faces of the cardinals, almost as though they are weighing their options. But strikingly, Catherine’s face is not in focus. This struck me as otherworldly. Could this mean she is, so to speak, transparent to the Divine Will? Of which she is but the humble messenger? She speaks under the influence of heaven.
I will be thinking about these contrasts for days. Thank you.
She is my favorite artist! I wish they would reprint the books she illustrated with the illustrations in them, it has been difficult to acquire the originals
There are some available, including this book and one on Elizabeth of Hungary, but they don’t seem like the best reprints. I wonder if some of the poetry books pop up from time to time. It would be great to see more reprints!
Saint Catherine of Sienna, pray for us! ⛪🌐✝️
Wow! The observations about the cardinals apply perfectly to some of today’s cardinals. Cardinal Zen is a St. Catherine of Siena man though.
Cardinal Zen is one of the brave ones.
Eleanor‘s work is beautiful. I need to look up more of her famous paintings. Thank you so much.
Beautiful! and such an enjoyable read! Thank you for introducing us to a gem of an artist!
Thank you! I just love her illustrations.
Terrific post! Thanks!
Thank you!
A perfect post at a time of such uncertainty and concern for the faithful. Thank you!
Thank you!
The lives saints who lived through such terrible times in Church history are such a source of hope for me.
For me too
Excellent piece. You wrote, "He is seated inconspicuously, and his clothing blends in with that of other cardinals." The fact that one is seated and the others are standing is evidence of the monarchal privilege of the chair. No one is allowed to sit in the presence of the ruler.
Of course! Thank you for pointing this out.
I haven't heard of the artist before. It is a great illustration! Beautiful
Thank you! She has some wonderful illustrations.
The fin de siècle and the first couple of decades of the 20th century were a highlight in illustration. It's not sacred art, but if you look at children's books of the time and artists such as Arthur Rackham (Jack the Giant Killer - my mum read me those stories when I was young), and even EH Shepherd, who did the Winnie the Pooh drawings
My grandmother had so many wonderfully illustrated children’s books and poetry books from this period. She used to read them to us and gave me a few of them.
One of my favorites is her copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales with illustrations by Arthur Rackham.
Bello!
Thank you!
So…good art does imitate real life, I suppose. What lessons for today this history contains! As you show us.
When my eye was drawn to Catherine I thought the word: “serene.” The saint’s serenity and authority were truly grounded in everything you point out.
Also, I noticed the interesting and lively faces of the cardinals, almost as though they are weighing their options. But strikingly, Catherine’s face is not in focus. This struck me as otherworldly. Could this mean she is, so to speak, transparent to the Divine Will? Of which she is but the humble messenger? She speaks under the influence of heaven.
I will be thinking about these contrasts for days. Thank you.
Yes, that is the perfect word!
She is my favorite artist! I wish they would reprint the books she illustrated with the illustrations in them, it has been difficult to acquire the originals
There are some available, including this book and one on Elizabeth of Hungary, but they don’t seem like the best reprints. I wonder if some of the poetry books pop up from time to time. It would be great to see more reprints!
I just saw her “Treasury of Best Loved Poems” collection and “The Book of Old English Songs and Ballads” available on Abe books.