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Empress Helena on her quest for the Holy Cross
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Empress Helena on her quest for the Holy Cross
Empress Helena leaving Constantinople (C), and Judas revealing to her the location of the Holy Cross (D). Painting on the north side of the Chancel. Handcoloured etching drawn and etched by Thomas Fisher from his Paintings on the Walls of the Chapel of the Trinity, Stratford upon Avon, 1808
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Media ID 23197896
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Allegory Avon Chapel Constantinople Discovery Empress Etching Fisher Helena Judas Legend Paintings Search Stratford Trinity Walls Myth
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In this handcoloured etching, we witness an essential moment from the legendary tale of Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, and her quest to discover the true Cross of Christ. The scene on the north side of the Chancel in the Chapel of the Trinity at Stratford upon Avon, as depicted by Thomas Fisher in 1808, unfolds as follows: Empress Helena, dressed in imperial robes and adorned with a diadem, stands resolute as she embarks on her journey, leaving the grand city of Constantinople behind (C). Her determined gaze is fixed on the horizon, as if guided by a divine force. In the next scene (D), she encounters Judas, who, filled with remorse, reveals the location of the Holy Cross. The allegory of this painting is deeply rooted in Christian history and myth. According to the legend, Helena, driven by her unwavering faith, embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to search for the Cross of Christ. With the help of a local shepherd, she discovered three crosses, and through a series of miraculous events, identified the true Cross. This discovery marked a significant moment in Christian history, as the true Cross was used in the creation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Thomas Fisher's masterful depiction of this story transports us back in time, allowing us to witness the pivotal moment when Empress Helena's faith and determination led her to the discovery of the Holy Cross. The intricate details of the etching, from the folds in Helena's robes to the expressions on their faces, bring the scene to life, making it a captivating work of art and an essential piece of Christian history.
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