SANTA MARTA DE BETANIA

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Santa Marta

This is one of the most special commissions that I have had the honor and luck of carrying out, one of those that make you witness that art is a transformative element and that it can become a channel between Everything and the individual. 

The work is an image of Santa Marta de Betania now blessed by the Benedictine monks of the Monasterio del Paular de Rascafria in Madrid, of Santa Marta de Betania. 

The Blessing means the "dedication of a person or thing to the service of God." It is a source of pride for me to see how a fabric, pigments and the work of this humble painter can be transformed into a Sacred object, a channel between the divine and the human. 

This artwork connects this contemplative congregation of the rule of San Benito with the brotherhood of Santa Marta of Seville. 

The artwork is inspired by the image that is processed on Holy Mondays in Seville, from the church of San Andrés, an image by the Spanish image sculptor Sebastian Santos. 

Saint Martha appears cited several times in the New Testament, Luke (LC 10,38-42) and the Gospel of John (Jn 11,1-40 and 12, 1-8) I needed to know that woman to be able to represent her, so that she would appear and be present in the portrait and reading what is written, I discovered a great woman who was a tireless worker and caregiver. Saint Martha teaches us to show mercy towards others, for example by giving food, shelter and affection to anyone in need.

She is the patron saint of cooks, maids, housewives, hoteliers, hoteliers, guest houses, laundresses, sisters of charity and the home.

In Luke 10:38-42 we see that Martha works intensely to welcome Jesus into her home. His sister, Mary of Bethany, simply sits at his feet and listens to him. Both Mary and Martha serve, but Mary understands the priority and necessity of choosing to be with Christ and Martha complains to Jesus.

'While on the way with his disciples, Jesus entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary who, sitting at the feet of the Lord, listened to what he said. Marta, for her part, felt overwhelmed because she had a lot to do. So he approached him and said:

—Lord, don't you care that my sister left me serving alone? Tell him to help me!

"Martha, Martha," answered the Lord, "you are restless and worried about many things, but only one is necessary. "Mary has chosen the best and no one will take it away from her."

She also appears in the Gospel of John as the sister of Lazarus in his Resurrection, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God.

The image is dressed as a Hebrew and on her chest she wears a gold leaf brooch, in the shape of a Sevillian fan, in the center the silhouette of the Saint appears with the acetre of holy water in her right hand and the hyssop in her left hand. , the keys, hanging from the belt with the colors of Seville, connect with the business of the inn.

The evangelical quotes about Martha of Betania are engraved on the fan cloth: Lk 10, 38-42, Jn 11, 1-40 and 12, 1-8., in the background the profile of the Monastery of Santa María del Paular, and its reflection on the pool, The golden M winks, remembering María, her sister, the most contemplative, and of course, Martha, the most practical.

Thank the promoter of this work for giving me the opportunity to be a channel to carry out this very special work.

Thank the Benedictine monks for their dedication to the contemplative life and the blessing of this work that I hope will be maintained for many years in the Monastery of Santa Maria del Paular.