Maria Sophia “Carries the Book of Wisdom”

Maria Sophia “Carries the Book of Wisdom”

Maria Sophia “Carries the Book of Wisdom” by Ilene Satala

This painting was inspired by my many years of Travel to Central America. I have loved going to see the many beautiful and culturally rich cathedrals of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. 

The main feature is often a wonderful statue of the Madonna. She if dressed in beautiful cloths of velvet and golden embroidered cloth. Cloth made by the local women with each dress carefully created to reflect each women sewers finest skills. Her crown is made of golden flowers and her image has come to represent so much more for the people than just the Madonna. 

She is the most courageous of Mothers. She represents what are the best qualities in all women. She is in fact the Mother to the World. She emanates unconditional love and compassion. She holds the light of her spirit against the darkness. 

In my version of the Madonna she holds a book of wisdom. Sometimes called the book of Sophia. This book has a great tree on its pages and it is symbolic of the Tree of Life. The tree represents ever growing wisdom given freely to humanity. Her candle is red with vitality and its flame stands for illumination. 

Her colors are orange for day and blue for night and the golden swirls in her dress are the stars moving through her eternal body. In this painting I have worked with many inspiring images of my travels to create a single image that reflects her inner and outer beauty. She will remind you of your own inner beauty and the glory of love freely given to all.

Here you experience that the Sophia is the one who holds of the Living Light of Wisdom. Through this Light of Wisdom allows the unique Light of First Fire to burn stronger and brighter.