Picture in Focus: The Ascension by Kateryna Shadrina

May 14, 2023

Picture in Focus: The Ascension by Kateryna Shadrina

The Feast of the Ascension falls this year on May 18th. The New Testament narratives of how Jesus was taken up into heaven do not mention the Virgin Mary among the eyewitnesses gathered on the Mount of Olives, but the account in the Book of Acts does include her among Christ's followers gathered in the Upper Room after the event. Icons of the Ascension in the Byzantine style traditionally give Mary the place of honor in the middle of the scene, directly beneath Christ, now enthroned in glory. This week's new Marian-themed piece from the Sacred Art Pilgrim Ukrainian Collection by Ukrainian Greek Catholic Artist Kateryna Shadrina follows this convention. The icon-maker from Lviv is known for her use of brilliant color, reminding us that pure white light is composed of all the hues of the spectrum. Shadrina's image of the Ascension can be found on the New Iconography of Lviv page in the Schools of Sacred Art section. Pray for Peace in Ukraine! (John Kohan)