Martha, Martha by Elspeth Young

“Martha, Martha”


{ Martha }
Pre-mounted Giclées on canvas (gatorboard)
High-grade canvas artwork reproductions pre-mounted to durable gatorboard for easy framing without glass.
12" x 15"$133.0014" x 18"$175.0018" x 22.5"$264.00
12" x 16"$140.0016" x 20"$215.0018" x 24"$280.00
Giclées on canvas (unmounted canvas roll)
Larger rolled canvas prints with a 2-inch margin for the customer to mount the print to stretcher bars at a local framing store or art center. No glass needed.
20" x 24"$228.0020" x 25"$236.0024" x 30"$328.00
Paper prints
High-grade art reproductions available on photo paper (in sizes 12x18 and larger) or on high-quality 9pt (100#) paper. Combined shipping available for most smaller sizes.
16" x 20"$73.0018" x 24"$93.0020" x 24"$100.0024" x 30"$143.00
Other products
Other options including the original artwork, bookmarks, and limited edition prints.
Original oil painting$11,454.00
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† These prints show the entire painting. All other images are cropped to fit standard frame/print sizes. By purchasing a print, you agree to accept the image shipped to you whether cropped or not, as presented on this site. All print sizes link to a preview of the print. Print sizes are the image dimensions, not the dimensions of the paper.

And Jesus answered and saith unto her, Martha Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful...

Luke 10:41-42

The story behind Martha, Martha

Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus, and disciple of Christ, is here depicted as cumbered by the work she has at hand in preparing and serving at a feast.  Martha is worried, perhaps even overwhelmed by her endeavors.  In the painting she is surrounded by light, representing the Savior’s presence (John 1:4, 9), and yet she feels alone and discouraged.  Answers and solutions to her burden surround her, but Martha must make the conscious choice to choose the Savior.  The painting represents the choice we must all make to "cast (our) burden(s) upon the Lord" (Psalms 55:22).

Symbolism in Martha, Martha

The archway outside the open courtyard represents the tomb in which Lazarus was buried later in the story of Mary and Martha.  The viewer sees the archway from a distance (i.e. one point perspective has been used to create depth) and this is meant to represent an eternal perspective.  Knowing this, the viewer sees that Martha has, in the stress of the moment, turned her back on this eternal perspective because she is distracted by the tasks at hand. The stark lighting represents the light from the Savior (John 1:4).  Because Martha is only partially in the light, it represents the choice she must make to step fully into the peace or "rest" the Savior can offer her (Matthew 11:28).

All the elements in the work besides the figure represent the Savior and His ability to aid Martha with her burdens, if she will but chose to let Him. The Savior fed 5,000 using a small offering of loaves and fishes (see Matt 14:16-21, Mark 6:33-44, Luke 9:11-17, John 5-14).  These fish (tilapia) and loaves on Martha’s table represent the same kind of "offering" of self that Martha has the opportunity to make, and the ability of the Savior to multiply it and make it enough, if she desires it.  Also fish are a Byzantine representation of the Savior. The Savior declared himself "the bread of life" (John 6:35). Pomegranates in the basket were used as decorative motifs in Solomon’s temple and on Aaron’s ephod. Martha’s jug she carries is similar to the jug the woman at the well carries in Elspeth’s painting, Living Water and here, as in that work, represents the living water the Savior offers all who come unto Him (John 4:14).
© By Elspeth Young, All Rights Reserved. You may not print, copy, or reproduce this artwork or make derivative works from it without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. For permissions, please review our FAQ page.

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Illustration: Martha, Martha

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