Illuminated Manuscript digitally painted by Capio Lumen. This painting is available as a limited edition pigmented ink jet print. Each print is numbered, dated and signed by the artist. This Giclée print, French for inkjet, is printed using Epson archival pigmented inks on fine art paper. The print is “light fast” for 100 years when kept under glass and out of direct sunlight. It is available in these four print sizes.
6.5 X 8.5 Unmated: Numbered Edition of 150: Print size 5.5 X 7.0: ($20.00)
11 X 14 Matted: Numbered Edition of 300: Print size 6.75 X 8.5: ($50.00)
16 X 19 Framed: Numbered Edition of 300: Print size 6.25 X 8.0: ($100.00)
24 X 30 Unmated: Numbered Edition of 50: Print size of 21 X 27: ($300.00
- A.P. Artist Proof is 10% of the edition size
2025 Advent In English (Matthew 1:20) ©2025
English Translation
Matthew 1:20
but while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
About this Painting
During the Advent season, the Gospels of Matthew Gospels often highlight Jesus' royal lineage. In Mathews chapter 1-20 passage an Angel of the Lord guides Joseph while in a restful state, asleep, into making his decision to marry Mary. Joseph received divine confirmation and is encouraged to embrace his role in God's plan. Part of the reason that I chose this to use the text from Mathew is because I believe all of us are faced with difficult decisions on a somewhat regular basis. Not consequential as Joseph’s but nevertheless challenging. That fact that Joseph was asleep caught my attention. Fast forward 2000 years “Let me sleep on it” is a common phrase that we all use. One of my takeaways from this passage is that we are reminded to take our time. To allow our subconscious to play an active role in the decision process. I am not suggestion that we will receive divine intervention, but our subconscious and intuition should be endorsed when asking “is this the right thing to do”
Symbolism in this Painting:
A brief explanation of the symbolism in this painting:
As in all my recent paintings, at the top center of the icon, you see a very faint ancient star map that extends behind both the Angel and Joseph. On the top and left borders we find a highly stylized acanthus vine. This vine is also painted in both the lower case “b” and “h” initial. The first letters of the passage. Four birds are also painted in the “b” initial. These Gothic Style highly stylized vines are found in manuscripts from the workshop of Valentine Noh active in Prague, Czech Republic in and around the 1470. In ancient Greek architecture acanthus ornament appears extensively in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders of architecture. It also can be seen applied to friezes, dentils and other decorated areas. In Christianity the acanthus leaves represent immortality, and rebirth. They can also represent the triumph over suffering and hardship. Both Joseph and the Angel are inspired by German Gothic miniatures believed to be painted around 1260
The wing of the angel on the left is touched by the wing of pure white butterfly. I use butterflies are symbols for angels. The butterfly is also a symbol for the cycles of life, caterpillar, chrysalis and finally, the butterfly. There is a bee and a few ladybugs on intermixed in the acanthus vine. Bees a that are used because of their industrious habits, as symbols of activity, diligence, work for the good of the order. The spots of the seven-spot ladybug symbolize Mary’s Seven Joys and Seven Sorrows.
Return and Refund Policy
I am committed to the quality of my prints and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 7 days of receipt for a full refund for the price of the print. Please see refund policy at the bottom of the check-out page.