Now in these days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to the
town of Judah. And she entered the home of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth. And it
came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe in her womb
leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she lifted up her voice
with a loud cry and said, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb! And whence this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto
me? For behold, when the sound of thy salutation fell on mine ears, the babe in
my womb leapt with gladness. And blessed art thou who hast believed, for what the
Lord promised thee shall be accomplished.”
And Mary said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath exulted in God
my Saviour, because he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaid: Yea, behold,
henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he who is mighty hath
wrought great things for me, and holy is his name.”
— Luke 1:39-49
In the painting, Elizabeth’s mature age is represented by the tree with fruit behind her, while behind Mary is a young tree in flower. The mysterious knowledge of the coming of Christ is first known by the unborn babe and then by his mother Elizabeth. Thus the sacred things are revealed first to the innocent one who represents the mysterious inner life within us all.| Home | Artist | Portraits | Visionary Paintings |
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