The Windows Of Heaven by Al Young

The Windows Of Heaven


{ A Certain Poor Widow }
Pre-mounted Giclées on canvas (gatorboard)
High-grade canvas artwork reproductions pre-mounted to durable gatorboard for easy framing without glass.
12" x 16"$140.0014" x 18"$175.0018" x 24"$280.00
12" x 20.25"$170.0016" x 20"$215.00
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.
16" x 27"$208.0020" x 28"$261.0024" x 30"$328.0030" x 40"$528.00
20" x 24"$228.0020" x 30"$278.0024" x 36"$388.0030" x 50.5"$659.00
18" x 30.25"$255.0020" x 33.75"$309.0024" x 40.5"$433.00
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"$73.0020" x 24"$100.0024" x 30"$143.0030" x 40"$225.00
18" x 24"$93.0020" x 30"$122.0024" x 36"$168.00
Other products
Other options including the original artwork, bookmarks, and limited edition prints.
Original oil painting$18,644.00
or
You may click on a print size to see a preview of it.

† 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 he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

Luke 21:1-4 (see also Mark 12:41-44)

The story behind The Windows Of Heaven

The background against which the Savior remarked the widow's paltry offering is one in which riches were being cast into the treasury, and disciples were remarking the opulence of the temple itself(see Luke 21:5 and Mark 13:1). The background against which the figure of the widow and her infant son appear in this painting is the perspective of the disciples, who were enthralled by the splendor of the buildings.

In looking at the painting, the viewer must choose whether to focus upon splendor—and the richness of the gifts of wealth by which such buildings are made—or to focus upon the heart of one who gives all.  No other figures appear in the painting because the viewer stands where the Savior stands in order to have the opportunity to see as He sees:  For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.  (1 Samuel 16:7)

No mention is made in the scriptures of the widow having had a son, but in this presentation of the story the child reminds us that when we tithe we dedicate our families and our lives to the Lord, and Heaven blesses them from generation to generation.

Symbolism in The Windows Of Heaven

The very composition of this painting is an expression of testimony concerning tithes and offerings, and the threshold of faith that must be crossed by one who gives.  For what was true in the days of the Savior's mortal ministry is true today:  Tithing is an expression of faith, not wealth.  And in this painting the viewer stands upon the threshold of faith, contemplating whether to cast into the treasury of the Lord the meager farthing of one's very life.

To all who look on, contemplating such giving—particularly when not only livelihood but loved ones are at stake—the daunting prospect can appear to be but the first step along a corridor of want ending at a wall where even the window in it is walled up.  Indeed, from the standpoint of the viewer, the colonnade at the left of the image appears as solid as a wall.  Yet to venture even one small step along the path of faith is to stand in the warm and brilliant light pouring into every corner of one's life from the open windows of Heaven.

Having given all, the young widow looks with her son at the empty purse; a symbol of all they have left.  But the purse cannot begin to contain the flood of light and life that now are theirs.  And since the light pours in through a colonnade, there is no barrier betwixt them and Heaven in their life.
© By Al 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: The Windows Of Heaven

By Al R. Young
High-resolution digital copies are available from the Studios for use as illustrations.  Use the serial number—appearing below the thumbnail—in requesting permission from the Studios (see links at the bottom of this page for detail).


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Al R. Young completes new oil painting - "The Windows Of Heaven"

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