I'm so happy with how this turned out. The figures are placed in a way that's meant to suggest the cross, or Christ's atonement. The light is focused on Christ, it is heavenly and from above. Mary is partially illuminated, likewise we have a general understanding of her role in raising the infant Jesus.
We don't understand or know a lot about Joseph's role in Christ's infancy and childhood. We know he is there supporting the whole system, making it possible for Mary to complete her role while also attending to Jesus as his father in mortality. He was there and sacrificed so much yet his role as a father is mostly in shadows.
I was thinking about Christ's first night on Earth and how it would have felt for Joseph. Mary is resting having given birth earlier in the day. Joseph, as his son would be, was a carpenter. Like any new father he would be thinking about how he would care for his growing family, the promise of this young new life, and certainly, the responsibilities of caring for the Christ Child.
Likewise, I don't think we place enough emphasis on fatherhood, outlining the difficulties and the joys. I would love to see more paintings celebrating the joys of fatherhood as well as highlighting the difficulties.
Reproduced from the artist's original artwork of Oil on Board 16 x 20. Painted 2021.
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