Caroline Furlong - Work Zoom: Virgin of the Passion or Our lady of Perpetual Help

Virgin of the Passion or Our lady of Perpetual Help
Acrylic on icon board
13 x 9.5 x 1.5
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Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

This icon is a copy of the original miracle working icon which came from the island of Crete where it had been venerated for a number of years. The earliest written account is from an old document-plaque written in Latin and Italian which was placed before the Icon in the church of St. Matthew, where it was first venerated in Rome in March of 1499.

Thus the picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help is a traditional Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, but modified by the medieval softening of features, touching the emotion and showing an action story proper to this art form. Mary’s face appears full of sorrow, yet supremely dignified in her contemplation of the sufferings of her Son. She is not looking at Jesus, but rather to us, her adopted children, as if to express compassion for us in our fears and sorrows.

Jesus’ passion is represented by angels holding instruments of His passion, most often the cross, the lance, the sponge, and the nails.

The Child Jesus is shown with an adult face and a high brow, indicating His divine Mind of infinite intelligence. As God, He knew that the angelic apparition was prophetic of His future passion. Yet in His human nature as a small child, He is frightened and runs to His Mother for protection. Mary hastily picks Him up and clasps Him to her bosom. This action is indicated by the fact that the Lord’s right foot is nervously curled about the left ankle and in such haste that His right sandal has become loosened and hangs by a single strap. Further action is indicated by the way the Child Jesus clasps His Mother’s right hand with both of His, holding tightly to Mary’s thumb.

The Virgin Mary is clothed in a dress of dark red which was long reserved in the Byzantine world for the Empress alone, indicating the Queenship of Mary. We know that reddish purple was considered the noblest color in the ancient world. Recall that Our Lord said “Those who are clothed in purple and fine linen are in the houses of kings.”

Some commentators on color claim that bluish purple became the color of penance in the Western Church (during Lent and Advent) because purple is a combination of blue and red. The blue reminds us of heaven, to which we wish to arrive by our penance, and the red recalls martyrdom, because all penance requires a dying to oneself, especially mortifying inordinate desire for food and pleasure. In the usual Byzantine style, the figures of the icon are identified with abbreviations of their names. In this icon Mary is designated by her chief title to glory: Mother of God.

Icons may be comissioned; contact Caroline for information about pricing and availability.