Tuesday 21 April 2009

Saint Bride

For Marnie

Saint Bride by John Duncan (1886 - 1945)

According to the legend of the Irish Saint Bride she was transported miraculously to Bethlehem to attend the nativity of Christ. Here two angels carry the white robed saint across the sea. The seascape reflects Duncan's fascination with the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Iona. The birds and seal provide an effective naturalistic foil for the supernatural angels overlapping the patterned border. Scenes from the life of Christ decorate the angel's robes, and may include the artist's self-portrait as the tiny clown (a holy fool) accompanying the procession of the magi on the leading angel's gown.

5 comments:

  1. Thank you for that, Neil.
    It's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. what a beautiful piece and something i have never seen before. enjoyed reading about it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is lovely, and talking of theouter hebrides, do you have any pics of Lewis at all??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry Mog, I don't but I may be able to get my hands on some for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Not to worry Neil, just put it on your list of places to visit!

    ReplyDelete