Madonna and Child
Byzantine icon style portrait of Zoey and their Saint Lucy.
The idols and icons of early childhood
In Byzantine theology, the contemplation of icons allowed the viewer direct communication with the sacred figure(s) represented, and through icons an individual’s prayers were addressed directly to the petitioned saint or holy figure. Miraculous healings and good fortune were among the requests.
In this painting we see the child Zoey in place of the Mother Mary, and Zoey’s most important plushy friend, Lucy Bunny, in place of Christ the child.
At this point in time, there was little which mattered more to Zoey than Lucy Bunny.
Lucy Bunny was lost to us within a year of this painting being created.
