Yet another “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa.” Again inspired by the Bernini sculpture of the same name, this painting is rendered in oils on canvas and is 120cm x 90cm (4ft x 3ft).
Painted within the composition is this image of the Regina Coeli, a traditional Roman Catholic representation of the Virgin Mary, crowned as Queen of Heaven. It is deliberately painted in such a way as to give the impression that it is collage, adhered to the surface of the paint. It is, in fact, painted within the composition.
Also within the composition is a representation of another madonna and child. This time, not THE Madonna and Child. Rather, it is a painted copy of a photograph of me and my mother.
Here’s the original. I can remember this photograph being taken. I was 4 and Mum was 43. It was late in the afternoon and I can still distinctly remember how displeased I was about having to squint into the bright sunlight while this photo was being taken. Despite that, it is one of my favourite pictures of Mum. I remember she was holding my hand, in an endeavour to get me to wave at the photographer, a family friend. I can even remember the colour of Mum’s dress. It was green. Mum was very fond of green.
Cross section detail: