Betsy Porter

Christ Emmanuel
1 x 14 inches, 2007

The Image Not Made by Hands
(The Mandylion, The Holy Face)

12.5 x 12.5 inches

Christ Enthroned
7 x 9 inches, 2007

LORETTA HOFFMANN of Houston, TX

Loretta and I shared a table, as well as mutual technical and artistic help, at a Prosopon workshop in Austin, TX, March 2007. We were painting an icon of Christ Emmanuel, learning shell gold work.

Saint John the Baptist
13 x 17 inches

The Prophet Elijah in the
Desert, Fed by a Raven

13 x 17 inches

Our Lady Peligonitissa
(of the Playful Infant)

7 x 9 inches

The Prophet Elias (Elijah)
9.5 x 12.5 inches

Our Lady of the Sweet Kiss
7 x 9 inches, 2007

The Guardian Angel
13 x 17 inches, 2005

The Evangelist Saint Mark
9.5 x 12.5 inches

Simeon the God-Receiver
7 x 9 inches

Mother of God of Tenderness
11 x 14 inches, 2008

Saint Cecilia
9.5 x 12.5 inches, 2008

Saint James the Greater
2008

ABOVE; ICONS BY LORETTA HOFFMANN 2009
The Holy Trinity; The Virgin Oranta; The Holy Face

13 x 17 inches; 11-1/2 x 13 inches; 11 x 14 inches

BELOW; ICONS BY LORETTA HOFFMANN 2010
Descent from the Cross; Mary at the Fountain (The Annunciation at the Well)

13 x 17 inches; 11 x 14 inches

Loretta Hoffmann writes: Mary at the Fountain is considered an Annunciation icon (sometimes the fountain is a well), representing the visit of Archangel Gabriel to Mary outside the Temple in which she was said to reside, according to the Infancy Gospel of James. This is considered the first angelic greeting to Mary regarding her future, followed by the version with which most of us are familiar from Luke 1:28-38, where she responded, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

A note from Betsy Porter: This icon is full of visual references to Mary's purity, fertility, and femininity: the closed tower, the overflowing well, the leafy tree and nesting bird.

Read Loretta Hoffmann's icon blog, including her commentary on several icons shown here, at www.heavenlywindows.blogspot.com

Scroll to Top