Artwork by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Alphonsus’ skill as an artist shows itself in two very different treatments here. His painting of the crucified Christ, with its bloody depiction of the suffering Redeemer, bore a direct resemblance to what Alphonsus saw depicted in his day in paintings on church walls, statues and the like. Though hard to look at, the painting conveys Alphonsus’ understanding, even at the young age of twenty-three, of the divine love that compelled our Redeemer to sacrifice himself to such a cruel death to atone for our sins.
By contrast, his painting of the Madonna, also completed while in his ‘20s, captures both the deep affection he had for her and the love she has for us which shows so beautifully on her face through those soft eyes and gentle features. His drawing of the Madonna anticipates a life-long devotion to our mother that would manifest itself in poetry, song, and prose. Indeed, St. Alphonsus is unique among the saints for his singular devotion to and celebration of the mother of our Redeemer.
