Traditional Catholic art gains a compelling new medium in gallery wrap canvas. Canvases featuring this modern art trend combine special printing technology and the technical skill of our Steubenville craftsmen to carefully wrap and tuck the canvas around the back of a 3/4" thick engineered wood mount. This method creates an impressive visual display with a faux 3D effect as the image continues around all visible sides of the mount. The canvas is free of visible staples or tacks and stands alone with no need for a frame. Each canvas hangs with a wire in the back and has an attractive satin-matte finish.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe - as she appears in the Basilica - gallery wrapped canvas depicts the Virgin Mary as she appeared to St. Juan Diego: in Mexico in 1531, Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego as the "Lady from Heaven," asking him to have a church built on the hill they were on. The bishop, however, wanted a sign that it truly was Mary appearing. Thus, Our Lady bloomed dozens of roses on the hilltop - even though they were not in season! Juan carried the roses back to the bishop in his tilma (a cheap cactus-cloth covering), and when he unfolded the tilma before the bishop, Our Lady had imprinted her image into the tilma. This image has not deteriorated since then, and many miracles are related to venerating Mary through this image. Numerous symbols are entwined into the image, including the ribbon/sash that shows she is a virgin, but since it is in the shape of a cultural flower that means she has new life in her...she is with child (Jesus! - which is also why this devotion is largely used for the pro-life cause); the light around her that shows she is the Revelation "woman clothed with the sun;" the angel holding her up that proclaims her royalty as Queen of Heaven and earth; along with man other profound symbols. Through this image, may our Mother's words ever be with us to comfort and lead us: "Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear sickness, nor any other anguish. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."
A simple, neat, and beautiful way to adorn your home, office, or parish - or even to give as a gift to a friend, relative, or priest. Handcrafted at our shop in Steubenville, OH.
( GWC-300 )
