The origins of this lovely painting are a bit obscure, at least for our research. Some place it in the city of Hakodate, Japan, in the northern island of Hokkaido in the year 1879. Some suggest the date is later, as late as 1905. If it was in Hakodate in 1879, it's possible it was done by a convert who was under the tutelage of Father Anatolie Tihai, an Orthodox priest who was very active in mission work there at the time.

Be that as it may, it is a superb painting of our Lord and His mother as interpreted by a Japanese artist. It has that delicate, nuanced Japanese style, which is very appropriate for the subject matter. Note how subtle the expression on the face of Jesus is, capturing a plaintive expression from Heaven. Watercolor on silk. Jesus is the Lord of all, and we like to include non-European versions of him in art.

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a white border of about 0.5" inch for 5x7", 1.3" for 8.5x11", or 1.6" for 11x14" pictures. All Approx! Fine art printers do this because the images are almost never the same rectangular ratio of the standard paper sizes. It also gives the prints a finished look, and lets them look good in a frame without a matt.

- Acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

You might also enjoy original Catholic Art and Jewerly by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, here on Etsy at www.Etsy.com/shop/TreeOfHeaven
Also, check out our Catholic Quote shop, where we are pairing authentic quotes from Saints with Art: www.Etsy.com/shop/CatholicQuote

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - CatholicArtAndJewelry.