Baptism

 Seven Blessed Sacraments - #1 Baptism


This original series of artwork, titled "Seven Blessed Sacraments" in cloisonné-style painting,  is one of my most comprehensive works to date. It was inspired by the stained glass windows at St Simon's Catholic Church in Los Altos, California, that depict the important aspects of each of the seven sacraments in the style of stained glass. 


Baptism is the gateway to Christian life, which frees us from the bondage of original sin and makes us members of the body of Christ (the Church), allowing us to be his disciples chartered with spreading the Good News (Gospel) of redemption. Christ himself was baptised in the river Jordan by John the Baptist, and commanded the Apostles to baptise all nations.

The ceremony, administered by a bishop, priest, or deacon, is conferred only once in a lifetime by immersion in water or pouring water on the head, with the words:

“I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1278).

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Two, Section Two, Chapter One, Article 1 — paragraphs 1213 to 1284.
 


Comments

Anonymous said…
Very beautifully depicted. Keep it up Kieran (WhatsApp comment from a dear cousin in Mumbai)
August 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks Marina. This exercise was unlike anything I attempted
It’s a coordinated series on a well known topic so I had to use a very different approach
I had to read up about the sacraments and symbolism
Then I sketched all seven - and decided to have a red crucifix on all for consistency
Furthermore when I started painting I decided to do all seven concurrently so that the paint would be same across all
It was truly a different albeit very rewarding experience
Glad you liked it - Kieran
August 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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