Our Lady of Czestochowa

Description

Please allow 7-10 business days for printing before shipment.

About the Artwork

The icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa was originally a Byzantine icon of the type called “Hodegetria”, or “She who shows the way”. It is thought to have been painted in the 6th or 9th century (or, according to more fantastic legend, painted by St Luke on canvas/tabletop that had belonged to the Holy Family, discovered in Jerusalem by St Helena in the 300s, brought to Constantinople and given to her son the emperor Constantine). It was brought to the monastery at Jasna Góra (Bright Mountain), in Częstochowa, Poland, in the 14th century.

It was severely damaged by Hussite raiders in 1430. The wooden back was broken and the canvas slashed twice on Our Lady’s face. When artists tried to repair it, however, their efforts just made the original paint flake off, so in the end they painted over the entire image. This repainting job accounts for the unusual style of the face, halfway between Byzantine icon and Western realism.
The icon was canonically crowned in 1717. It possesses many covers made of precious metals and gems, which allow only their faces and hands to be seen. The crowns and halos I have painted in my version are based on the “Totus Tuus” cover, from Pope John Paul II, placed on the image after his death in 2005. The crowns feature the Polish eagle and fleur-de-lys.

On the sides of the image I have painted corn poppies, the flower of Poland, and also feathers of the white tailed eagle, which is on the Polish crest.

Product Details

NO WHITE BORDERS – printed to edge of paper.  Sizes: 5×7″, 8×10″, 11×14″.

Fine art giclée print from original watercolor painting, printed on acid-free 300 gsm archival watercolor paper. Mat and frame not included.

I have rigorously tested the colors of the prints to make sure they resemble the original artwork as closely as possible; however, please be aware that all computer monitors display colors slightly differently, so the colors in your print may appear different in real life than they do on screen.

Printed to order and shipped directly to you from our printer in PA. Watermarks will not appear on your print.

Because this product is made to order, I can only accept returns/exchanges if the product arrives damaged, but I will do everything possible to make sure you are satisfied with your order.