Natalis Dies Domini is a Latin phrase meaning “The Lord’s Birthday”. The image shows the heavenly choir at the First Christmas, and is inspired by the 12th century St. Albans Psalter, and is one in my series called “ILLUMINATION”. It was created using the same techniques as those used by monks in their monasteries in the Dark Ages, as they labored over their sacred texts. I used an authentic recipe for the Egg Tempera, grinding such pigments as genuine green Malachite and intense blues derived from copper. The application of 24k double gold leaf makes the painting shine, and is what makes this artwork an “ILLUMINATION”.
The scene demonstrates typical Medieval thought, that the universe exists within three spheres. The top sphere is the Heavenly realm, the realm of God and his Angels, and is usually depicted with the color Blue. Blue, in the Dark Ages, was a hue firmly associated with God and Heaven. Here, a choir of Angels sings in that Heavenly realm, separated from the Earthly realm by a band of gold leaf. However, their hands are penetrating that golden band, showing us that, for this night, an angelic choir is entering the next sphere: the realm of the earth and mankind.The large angel on the left is larger than the shepherds, indicating his importance in the composition. He is encased in blue, further emphasizing his heavenly nature. A star painted outside the composition indicates that it is not a normal star, but one that instead has a Heavenly portent. This composition does not show the third sphere, that of Hell and demons, because this painting shows the celebration of Christmas, the Lord’s birthday.
‘The painting is mounted on gray acid-free paper. It has a cream colored cut mat board with interior dimensions of 13.5” x 10.5” and exterior measurements of 20” x 16”. A clear plastic sleeve protects the artwork.
My personal wax seal is affixed on each ILLUMINATION.
Natalis Dies Domini is a Latin phrase meaning “The Lord’s Birthday”. The image shows the heavenly choir at the First Christmas, and is inspired by the 12th century St. Albans Psalter, and is one in my series called “ILLUMINATION”. It was created using the same techniques as those used by monks in their monasteries in the Dark Ages, as they labored over their sacred texts.
I used an authentic recipe for the Egg Tempera, grinding such pigments as genuine green Malachite and intense blues derived from copper. The application of 24k double gold leaf makes the painting shine, and is what makes this artwork an “ILLUMINATION”.
The scene demonstrates typical Medieval thought, that the universe exists within three spheres. The top sphere is the Heavenly realm, the realm of God and his Angels, and is usually depicted with the color Blue. Blue, in the Dark Ages, was a hue firmly associated with God and Heaven. Here, a choir of Angels sings in that Heavenly realm, separated from the Earthly realm by a band of gold leaf. However, their hands are penetrating that golden band, showing us that, for this night, an angelic choir is entering the next sphere: the realm of the earth and mankind.The large angel on the left is larger than the shepherds, indicating his importance in the composition. He is encased in blue, further emphasizing his heavenly nature. A star painted outside the composition indicates that it is not a normal star, but one that instead has a Heavenly portent. This composition does not show the third sphere, that of Hell and demons, because this painting shows the celebration of Christmas, the Lord’s birthday.
‘The painting is mounted on gray acid-free paper. It has a cream colored cut mat board with interior dimensions of 13.5” x 10.5” and exterior measurements of 20” x 16”. A clear plastic sleeve protects the artwork.
My personal wax seal is affixed on each ILLUMINATION.