Description

Painting Title: Mary, Ark of the New Covenant

Artist: Amberose Courville

Symbolism throughout the painting:

• The Ark of the Old Covenant contained the Ten Commandments [the words of God in stone], a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that blossomed life [Deuteronomy 10:3-5, Hebrews 9:4, Numbers 17:23]
• The Ark of the New Covenant, womb of the Virgin contained Jesus: the living Word of God in the flesh, the Living Bread from Heaven, who would die but come back to life [Luke1: 35]
• The Rosary symbolizes the umbilical cord representing the physical and spiritual connection between Mary and Jesus. When we pray the Rosary we meditate on the life of Jesus through the eyes of Mary.
• The background is the Garden of Eden, Mary is the New Eve and Jesus is the New Adam. The River of Life is flowing through the garden.
• Easter Lilies represent virginity, purity and St. Joseph by surrounding and protecting the sinless Jesus and Blessed Virgin Mary
• “A great sign appeared in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”[Rev12: 1]
• The 12 precious stones embedded into the stars of Mary’s crown are just like the12 precious stones in the angels’ breast plate [Exodus 28:17-20 and 39:10-14], and the 12 precious stones in the walls of Heaven [Rev. 21:19-20]
• Dove representing the Holy Spirit is hidden in the clouds – Mother Mary is known as the Spouse of the Holy Spirit
• There are 13 stars in sky representing Marian apparitions that have taken place on the 13th of the month – i.e. Our Lady of Fatima and Akita Japan
• The 3 Precious stones in necklace represent, Faith, Hope, and Charity (as described in The Mystical City of Godby Venerable Mary of Agreda)
• The Lily of the Valley flowers are known as “Our Lady’s Tears”
• Blessed Virgin Mary is crushing the serpent’s head [Gen. 3:15]
• The pink almond tree is symbolic of the blossoms that grew out of the Aaron’s Staff. [Numbers 16-26].