- Feb 5, 2002
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Van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece has, within it, my absolute favorite artistic representation of Mary (above). When I think of Mary as Queen of Heaven, which I certainly do today, August 22, this image comes to mind. It is one of 12 framed oak panels that makes up the whole 17 x 12 feet Ghent altarpiece.
This is the most famous (not even a dispute about it) oil painting in the world. For art historians it is significant, because of its use of oil in the early Renaissance and the level of mind blowing photographic detail. It is also the most stolen painting in the world. Hitler was the last to steal it during World War II. Located in a salt mine in Austria, it was nearly incinerated by a bomb blast but was saved by the United States army. The film, Monuments Men was inspired in part by this true story.
The panel that features Mary is overshadowed by the more famous center panel of the Mystic Lamb. Mary seated at the right hand of the triune God, is young and beautiful, her garments adorned with gems and jewels. She wears a deep velvet royal blue dress with a golden hem and a matching mantle.
She is crowned with a magnificent bejeweled gold crown. The red garnets stand out. They are the same jewel used on the breastplate of the high priest for Mary, Joseph and Jesus' tribe of Judah. The flowers on her crown are fresh and real and at the same time take a prominent spot in between the jewels. These four flowers all mean something and say something about Mary. The lilies speak of her virginal purity and the columbines point to her humility. The lily-of-the valley calls to mind Song of Songs 2:1,
Continued below.
The Most Breathtaking Image of Mary as Queen: Van Eyck’s Mary
Mary, seated at the right hand of the triune God, is young and beautiful, her lavish garments adorned with gems and jewels. She wears a deep velvet royal blue dress with a golden stitched hem and a matching mantle. She is crowned with a magnificent bejeweled gold crown featuring symbolic gems...
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