VIEW IN MY ROOM
United States
Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 11 W x 14 H x 0.2 D in
Ships in a Box
Shipping included
14-day satisfaction guarantee
Artist Recognition
Artist featured in a collection
I generally blame much of the patriarchy in today's society on Abrahamic religion. I recently started reading Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It, by Janina Ramirez, and I was struck by the fact that it was largely women who first brought Christianity to the English speaking world, and who were the early adopters. Even before that time, it is widely believed that it was Helena, the mother of Constantine, who convinced her son, the Roman Emperor, to convert to Christianity. Why, ladies? Today's painting shows Helena, now known as Saint Helena, following her travels to the Holy Land where she built the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Church of the Ascension. She's posing with the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, which she located and brought back with her as one of the most sacred relics of Christianity. She has the nails in her outstretched right hand. Helena has been given a position of honor in Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the center of the Roman Catholic Church. Her statue resides in the niche in one of the four piers that support the dome of the basilica. On the plinth upon which she rests is a scallop shell, historically the symbol of Venus, Aphrodite, fertility, and the womb. How did the feminine scallop shell become such a prominent Christian symbol? Was Christianity once significantly less patriarchal than the version I grew up with, that had entirely written the Mother out of the trinity, replacing her with "The Holy Ghost"? You were such a powerful woman, Helena, why were you so into this new religion? When and why were the powerful women removed?
Painting:Acrylic on Canvas
Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork
Size:11 W x 14 H x 0.2 D in
Frame:Not Framed
Ready to Hang:No
Packaging:Ships in a Box
Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.
Handling:Ships in a box. Artists are responsible for packaging and adhering to Saatchi Art’s packaging guidelines.
Ships From:United States.
Have additional questions?
Please visit our help section or contact us.
United States
I explore stories, history (and herstory), and beliefs through art. I was born in a cold snowy mining town in the middle of nowhere. I now paint in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Visit my website at www.echoingmultiverse.com
Artist featured by Saatchi Art in a collection
Thousands Of Five-Star Reviews
We deliver world-class customer service to all of our art buyers.
Global Selection
Explore an unparalleled artwork selection by artists from around the world.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Our 14-day satisfaction guarantee allows you to buy with confidence.
Support An Artist With Every Purchase
We pay our artists more on every sale than other galleries.
Need More Help?