The Story in the Painting
In the painting, she is not merely looking upward from the darkening clouds of a fallen world, but she is contemplating the Fountainhead of light and being. Her countenance is portrayed so that in looking upon it we understand that she is seeing not merely with her eyes, but with her mind and heart. And because the light above her and around her is kindred to the light within her own soul, we sense that she is a daughter of God; that the light within her is kindred to The Light upon which she looks.
Eve was a mother in a fallen world. Being in a fallen world is bad enough as an individual, but to be a mother in such circumstances is to bring one's children into darkness. Thus, she had the choice that belongs to every mother; indeed, to motherhood: She could focus on the sad and sorry state of things, and set a sorrowing example of selfish recrimination, or she could look to The Light, to the future, and to all the goodness yet to come. She chose faith, hope and charity—the qualities of character by which the goodness and the brightness of that future will be made.
Who could have had more reason to be sad than the Mother of All Living; nevertheless, we see her, here, profoundly happy. The only way she could have such happiness is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The placement and orientation of the figure rise above the darkness of the world, and as we look at Eve our own souls are lifted heavenward. Thus, as Mother of All Living, she lifts not only her own gaze, but the gaze of her children. She lifts their minds and hearts as well as hers. She lifts the world.
Eve is contemplating, or remembering, the great things of God not as something that has been—although that is part of her story; she is remembering the great things of God as part of bringing to pass what God promises. Remembering is one of the most important things we do toward helping to build that promised future, when once again the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, and were shut out from the presence of the Lord, but neither they nor any of their children have ever been beyond His reach; therefore, the light in the painting can best be understood as the Father's hand resting gently, lovingly, on a daughter's sunlit head.
I don't think I'll say much more because I think that the artist portrayed the beautiful symbolism through words quite well in his description. I just thought others might want to enjoy this piece today as well! Hope the week is going well for everyone. Halfway through!
Thanks for posting that painting and the description. I saw the painting in the Conference Center when it was on display there, and it's even more beautiful in person. I hadn't read the accompanying description, which sheds more light on an already bright picture. We get to know so few women personally through the scriptures, so I make it a personal quest to know as much as I can about each one we do get a little insight into. This has helped me further my understanding.
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