Author Topic: Questions about a picture (Read 2769 times)

Matto · « **on:** August 29, 2010, 05:03:48 PM »

Has anyone seen this picture before? If you have, do you know anything about it? I have this picture in my house. I like it very much and am curious about it. For example, where is the original? Why is she holding an arrow? What is the significance of the colors? etc.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2010, 08:29:15 AM »

I have seen that image on the internet in the past.

Yesterday, I had a few moments and thought maybe I can find it with some info.

Sorry, but I did not find the image but found something so horrible I could not sleep last night except for a few moments.

I googled "Catholic art" and found so many pornand other mockery images that people have labeled as Catholic.

It makes me wonder why God doesn't destroy this entire world, it seems so evil. How mad the world is when one can't even google "Catholic art" and porn comes up. Disgusting!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2010, 08:50:19 AM »

That's why we cannot allow our children to surf the Internet.

Just imagine you are homeschooling and doing a project. ~

"Oh, Catherine, why don't you go find a holy painting and print it out?"

Same with television and movies.

Thanks for the sad reminder, Myrna.

innocenza · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2010, 09:55:46 AM »

Elizabeth,

I think it could be an image of St. Ursula, who was a British princess (hence the royal purple of her robe), martyred by being shot with an arrow.

That's as far as I could get (having never tried to research the identity of a painting or image before).

It looks Flemish, Dutch, or from some Northern Renaissance style of painting: but that is a very big category. Perhaps (my guess) it may not be the work of some specific renowned painter.

Regards,
Janet

clare · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2010, 10:03:06 AM »

Quote from: innocenza

Elizabeth,

I think it could be an image of St. Ursula, who was a British princess (hence the royal purple of her robe), martyred by being shot with an arrow.

That's as far as I could get (having never tried to research the identity of a painting or image before).

I think you're right. I've just googled some other images of her, and here's an icon:

Elizabeth · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2010, 10:25:16 AM »

Thanks for looking the info up. My first thought was Holy Wrath when I saw the arrow-shows ya how much I know!

St. Ursula, pray for us.

The painting has that very beautiful countenance of the ancient mystic.

innocenza · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2010, 10:50:05 AM »

Elizabeth,

And the maidens in the image with the Saint are the holy virgins
who, according to the story of Ursula, were also martyred with her.

I like the image very much, also. Wish I knew how to find out who painted it.

Best,
Janet

Matto · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2010, 12:32:56 PM »

So it is a picture of Saint Ursula. Thank you for finding that out.

clare · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2010, 02:25:13 PM »

Quote from: innocenza

Wish I knew how to find out who painted it.

I've just looked at some more images, and found this site.

It says the "author" is Hans Memling.

I imagine author means painter.

innocenza · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2010, 05:24:15 PM »

Thanks very much, Clare!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2010, 09:39:21 PM »

My dear Grandmother was raised by Ursulines at the turn of the century in Cleveland. They formed her admirably; she was a daily communicant until she could no longer make it to Mass.

She loved her life in the convent, and it is she who showed me the Catholic Faith the most. In those days it was common for poor people to give their children over to religious, and in my Grandmother's case it was a treasured gift.

I am grateful this subject was brought up-and inspired to learn more about St. Ursula.

innocenza · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2010, 08:51:24 AM »

You were very blessed, Elizabeth; and perhaps particularly so, that you and you grandmother had the Grace truly to value that Catholic formation!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2010, 02:48:28 PM »

Innocenza, my Grndmother was a great lady from another era! Her housekeeper was also an enormous blessing, a very saintly Black Catholic woman who gave her husband 14 children and was one of the kindest people I have ever met in my life.

My Great Aunt had a woman who had been born in slavery still living and helping her. She was called Sistah Jane (they pronounced it that way).

It's a huge blessing to have experienced these good Catholic women, because my poor parents lost the Faith. I have yet to live up to their good examples, that's for sure.

I have been reading up a little on St. Ursula. WOW 11,000 virgin martyrs!!!