La Sacra Conversiazone © William Frank 2023, 3 Byzantine glass smalti mosaic panels- 2 side panels 2’10 3/4″ x 6’4 1/4″ and 1 arched center panel 3’9 1/2″ × 7’3″, Heritage Preserve Chapel, Purification Heritage Center, Crawfordville GA
Commissioned by Heritage Preserve Retreat Center
https://williamfrankstudio.com/
The artwork depicts “la sacra conversazione,” an image type showing Mary and Christ Child enthroned at the center, flanked by saints engaged in conversation. The saints- St. Anna, St. Simeon, St. Joseph, and St. Luke- have a special significance to the identity and history of the community and retreat center. The ground plane and background are patterned by a floral motif. This motif is expressed in vibrant reds and greens behind Mary—a reference to Mary who is called “the Burning Bush.” The tabernacle is nestled between the three mosaic panels and is decorated with a stylized burning bush motif, reinforcing the connection between Mary who carried Christ in her womb, and the tabernacle which holds the consecrated Eucharist.
After almost a decade of restoration and development, Heritage now welcomes guests to disconnect from the busyness of life, slow down, and be present.
