Artist: Emilie Buck Lewis

Medium: Oil on Masonite

Titles: 

Flowers for Mary

 About: Mary the Mother of Christ has many floral symbols in traditional art history. I’ve included some of them in this painting, stylistically inspired by Maria van Oosterwijck’s work. The annunciation Lily, the Iris (or sword lily), violets, marigolds, baby’s breath, and strawberries all symbolically refer to Mary. The flowers represent different qualities attributed to Mary such as purity, sorrow (at the time of Christ’s death), fertility, and the trinity as revealed to Mary.

Sunflowers for Mary Magdalene

 About: A red egg and a jar are traditional symbols of Mary Magdalene. As the principle witness of the resurrection, a white rose would be the flower typically associated with her. However, I chose to use sunflowers for Mary because they always follow the sun and Mary was always oriented toward the Savior.

Barley and Lupine for Ruth

 About: Ruth gleaned Barley in Boaz’ field for sustenance, but it also led to her marriage and position in Christ’s lineage. The lupine represent her faith, sacrifice, and new opportunities. She is one of the ancestresses of Christ mentioned in the New Testament.

Tulips for Tamar 

 About: White tulips symbolize repentance. Tamar facilitated Judah’s repentance with her actions. Tamar’s perseverance to make Judah follow the leverite law, Judah’s progeny, and the line of Christ was assured.

Purple Coneflower for Bathsheba

 About: Bathsheba was an ancestress of Christ not necessarily by choice. Her initial relationship with David was not by choice. She became pregnant against her will, lost her husband, was unsure if she would be stoned for her pregnancy before ultimately being married to David the king. The purple coneflowers signify resilience, which Bathsheba must have had in spades to endure some of the events in her life. Lamb’s ear in the lower corner represents the Prophet Nathan’s rebuke of David.

Flax for Rahab

 About: Rahab lived in Jericho and risked her life to hide Israelite spies. She hid them with bundles of flax. These represent her bravery, her commitment to the God of Israel and willingness to follow her heart. She joined the Israelites and became an ancestress of Christ.

Figs for Eve

 About: Eve is the first ancestress of Christ. Figs and fig leaves symbolize her choice to partake of the fruit, but they also refer to Christs atonement and his willingness to cover our vulnerabilities with his power.