Saint Lucy

An original oil painting of the fourth-century Christian martyr Saint Lucy. Inspired by northern renaissance panel paintings, this image features a model chosen by the client. She wears red drapery symbolizing martyrdom copied from artist Raphael Vergos’ Saint Agatha. The quotation of Saint Agatha is significant because during her life Saint Lucy sought her intercession for the healing of her mother’s chronic disease and Saint Agatha reportedly spoke to Saint Lucy telling her that her own faith was sufficient to heal her mother. Other attributes in this painting include the eyes on a plate, signifying Saint Lucy’s role as the patron saint of sight; the sword with which she was martyred which she holds like a scepter as a symbol of victory over death; the evergreen wreath with candles which is traditionally worn on Saint Lucy’s day in northern European countries, a celebration that anticipates the Nativity of Christ and the return of light at the solstice - here the center candles make one flame symbolizing the mystery of Christ’s humanity and Divinity in one, while with the other candles these create a motif of three to signify the Holy Trinity; finally, the design in the blue background contains eight-pointed figures, the number eight symbolizing eternity (the eighth day beyond creation) that the saints enjoy in Heaven now.