My Throne is Upon a Column

This is the second in a series using one of the ten angel sculptures by Bernini that can be found on the Ponte Sant'Angelo (the Bridge of Angels) in Rome. Spanning the Tiber River, each angel holds a symbol of Christ's suffering and death. Here we have the column at which Christ was scourged. In these pieces I use a dramatic and foreboding sky in contrast to a vivid green and soothing landscape.

Much more fascinating to me however, is finding the passage “I dwelt in high places, and my throne is in a cloudy pillar.” in Ecclesiasticus 24:4. Ecclesiasticus is part of the apocrypha - a selection of books which were published in the original 1611 King James Bible. These apocryphal books were positioned between the Old and New Testament (it also contained maps and geneologies). The apocrypha was a part of the KJV for 274 years until being removed in 1885 A.D.

The full passage is: Wisdom shall praise herself, and shall glory in the midst of her people. In the congregation of the most High shall she open her mouth, and triumph before his power. I came out of the mouth of the most High, and covered the earth as a cloud. I dwelt in high places, and my throne is in a cloudy pillar. I alone compassed the circuit of heaven, and walked in the bottom of the deep. In the waves of the sea and in all the earth, and in every people and nation, I got a possession. With all these I sought rest: and in whose inheritance shall I abide?

My Throne is Upon a Column measures unframed 16 x 20 inches and is an original oil on canvas, shown here with a heavy solid wood gold frame. It is available for purchase as an original oil on canvas and also as museum quality giclee prints.