De Morgan, Evelyn (1855-1919)
Our Lady of Peace
1907
Oil on canvas, 195.2 x 100.2 cm
De Morgan Collection
This painting is in response to the Boer war.
In Our Lady of Peace we see a Christian knight, who is about to depart for battle, kneel in a church, and pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Peace). De Morgan‘s use of traditional Christian iconography and chivalric imagery is however, subverted by the look of nervous consternation on the face of the young knight who seems to be praying not only for protection, but also in the idealistic hope that his actions will bring peace.
Roman Catholic veneration of Our Lady of Peace focuses on her roles as a mediatrix of humanity to God, protector from dangers and advocate of sinners and during both the Boer and First World War’s there was widespread use of Christian and in particular Marian (of Mary) imagery in order to make sense of the disasters of war. Evelyn‘s depiction of the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by celestial rainbows and bedecked in laurel wreaths is therefore a potent and recognizable symbol of salvation, redemption and hope in the face of the futility of attempting to bring peace by waging war. (De Morgan Collection)