Epiphany

An original, hand-printed serigraph published by the artist with collaboration of master printer Christopher Betambeau at Advanced Graphics in London, England.

Completed August 25th, 1988
Edition Size: 210
Image size: 38 1/2″ x 12 1/8″
Paper size: 43 1/2″ x 17 1/4″
Paper: Velin Arches Blanc, Mould-made 100% Acid-free rag
Colors: 48 colors printed

Description

EPIPHANY depicts the journey of the three Magi as they travel up a serpentine trail. One of the Wise Men is seated as he looks at a map of the constellations with his magnifying glass; his servant holds a lamp so that he can see. Another Magi searches with his telescope into the sky. They look up in search of their beautiful guiding star as angels surround and point to it. They have exotic birds, peacocks, and dogs among their animals. I have tried to capture the details of the many plants, bushes, and trees and to create a variety of colors of green.

I used many symbols within the tapestries draping the animals. These patterns depict the Lion of Judah, the lamp in the darkness, the rain falling on the parched ground, the key to the locked door, the crown and the heart, and the gates to the city.

This is part of a series of three images (TRIPTYCH). They were inspired by the Mexican tradition that I am familiar with for Christmas. Families will each create a beautiful crèche (nacimiento) with many figures and animals, creating a whole environment with landscaping in miniature around the Nativity figurines.

Epiphany Reflections
A collection of observations, thoughts, and ideas on, or relating to, Epiphany.

 

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
Nobel Laureate, Irish Poet

The Magi

 

Now as at all times I can see in the mind’s eye,
In their stiff, painted clothes, the pale unsatisfied ones
Appear and disappear in the blue depths of the sky
With all their ancient faces like rain-beaten stones,
And all their helms of silver hovering side by side,
And all their eyes still fixed, hoping to find once more,
Being by Calvary’s turbulence unsatisfied,
The uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor.

 

Gertrud Mueller Nelson

Author, Artist, and Lecturer on Myth and Ritual

We launch a new journey along with the Kings.
Can we keep our eyes on the star?
Can we remember for whom we seek?
And when clouds obscure our hopes and our vision,
can we go to the RIGHT source who will tell us the truth
and not interject their power needs into the equation?
It’s a long road and a hard one.
The Kings represent all nations.
My prayer asks the wise ones of all nations
who have gone before us
to guide us and uphold us in our flagging endurance,
and give us the grace we need to find the Christ
everywhere we look.

 

T.S. Elliot (1888-1965)

British/American Poet and writer

All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we lead all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt.
I have seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.