This Madonna and Child was painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1290-1348). One art historian says of the painting, "It is the ruin of an Italian masterpiece from the first half of the 14th century." He calls it a ruin as the image is badly damaged, especially the top layer of paint from the face of the holy mother. We are looking at what is essentially the underlayer of painting, the top layers removed perhaps by careless cleaning over the many hundreds of years. Still, what a beautiful face, and what a natural and lovely child she holds. He is wrapped in the gospel's swaddling, (Luke 2:7) anticipating the linen winding cloth of his Good Friday burial (John 19:40).
I might suggest, in its ruination it is an apt image before which we can pray for our nation as Election Day approaches.
Madonna con il Bambino,
may we raise hope over fear,
peace over violence,
generosity over greed,
decency over impropriety.
May we raise wisdom over ignorance,
solidarity over alienation,
life over destruction,
love over hate,
light over darkness.
May we choose
restoration,
renewal,
mutuality,
kindness,
trust.
