Chapel of the Holy Spirit

In The Franciscan Monastery Church

         In the summer of 2003 Gerald King started a series of oil paintings of the interior of the Franciscan Monastery Memorial Church of Washington, D.C. As a creative artist, Mr. King has a desire to imbue his work with life. He found satisfaction in depicting some of the figurative wall reliefs and murals as if they existed on the floor of the church.   This was not a preconceived idea but rather an inspiration emanating out of the process of painting. Perhaps, as suggested by many, he was guided by the Holy Spirit. The result was a series of five paintings featuring the four transept isles of the church, and a separate painting of ‘The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin’.  The five works can be seen as the five crosses in the Franciscan Order’s seal of the Custody of the Holy Land.

     This is the forth painting in Monastery series. Here is something of a  consummation of the idea of using the art found in the church to contemporize and actualize Biblical events. Here Christ stands on the main alter sending forth his disciples. He is the light that illuminates them.  Saint Francis, standing on the floor of the church, gestures to his followers to go out into the world two by two. They are illuminated by the celestial light of the Holy Spirit that shimmers above. Behind this is the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and a realistic mural which has been the source for all. 

The Other Paintings in this Series which are available in prints:

                       #401  “Three Shrines”
                       #402  “Chapel of the Sacred Heart”
                       #403  “Chapel of Mt. Calvary”
                       #405   “Chapel of the Blessed Virgin