This is a self-portrait of medieval St. Hildegard of Bingen. It is the frontispiece of Liber Scivias (Know the Ways), one of her theological books which explain her mystic visions. Some of her other illustrations are deeply complex, but this is clearer. Even so, all the details suggest a meaning. She is a cloistered nun, an Abbess, and the Holy Spirit has descended upon her like tongues of fire. She is within the Church; by implication, she is orthodox and under its protection. The monk-named Volmar, her teacher and friend-is hearing her tell her vision. Besides being who he is, he represents the rest of us. He is within her "cell," deeply personal, sharing her work. She is sharing her vision with the whole Church.

Even the footstool has a tradition in ancient Catholic art. Pictures of the Church Fathers, when they are seated, composing, often have a footstool. We are pretty sure this suggests not simply a creature comfort of the writer-which would not have been the concern of the artist-but a detachment from this world. For thousands of years, Christian art has tended to be didactic, not wasting visual elements.

The original illustration was lost in World War II. But according to Sr. Maura Zátonyi OSB, a Benedictine nun in the Abbey of St. Hildegard in Eibingen and one of the world's leading experts on St. Hildegard, the copy is "miraculous" and "gives an accurate impression of the original, especially with regard to the variety of colors."

(source: abtei-st-hildegard.de)

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a blank border all around the image of about .5" for 5x7, 1.3" for 8.5x11, 1.6" for 11x14, and 1.75" for 13x17". All Approx! The white space gives the framed picture a finished look without using a mat.

- Acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson