The Mirror of Simple Souls
Marguerite Porete was a French mystic and the author of The Mirror of Simple Souls, a work of Christian Spirituality dealing with the workings of Divine Love. She was burnt at the stake for heresy in Paris in 1310 after a lengthy trial, after refusing to remove her book from circulation or recant her views. The book is cited as one the primary texts of the medieval Heresy of the Free Spirit.
After Marguerite’s death The Mirror of Simple Souls continued to be distributed across Europe, where it was translated into several languages, including English. In spite of its reputation as a heretical work it remained popular in Medieval times and in some ecclesiastical centres was embraced as an almost canonical piece of theology. Between Porete’s death and the identification of her as the work’s author in 1946 the Mirror was circulated as an anonymous work, Porete’s name having been struck from it.
I was talking to friends over the weekend and suddenly realised that I too would have been burnt for heresy because I claim to communicate with the dead. The question that interested me the most is how many people would stand up in my defence? Not many I feel. What makes me even happier is that no one will have to be put to the test and that includes myself. I dedicate this Painting to Marguerite Porete and quote William Wordsworth….....
I feel how in their presence doth abide
Light which to God is both the way and guide;
And, kindling at their luster, if I burn.
My noble fire emits the joyful ray
That through the realms of glory shines for aye…....
In memory of Marguerite Porete who died today – 699 years ago, 1st June 1310.
June 1st 2009
The Mirror of Simple Souls belongs to the following groups:
British Painters, Fine Arts Influenced by Literature and The Healing Journey Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
DragonFlyer
A beautiful image for a beautiful – amazing woman… what a story Sophie, yet it happened so so many times back then and, yes, though my reasons for being there would be slightly different to yours, I too – if I look at it rationally and realistically – would have joined you on the stake well before I reached this age… quite an amazing thing to realise… I really enjoy viewing your works Sophie – and those of Unseen… though I do not feel comfortable commenting on images painted specifically for a specific real person. So I leave those ones for the person themselves to interpret and see as they will.
699 years ago TODAY! There is fire in this painting… which is what ended Marguerite’s life… but without fire there would also be no life…
As I write I am watching my snake slowly uncoil from around the base of my computer… she is searching, hungry…
Carol Berliner
Woooooow stunning work! Instant fav!
Enoeda
Brillant! I love the contrast between the powerful red and the steel blue!
Christopher Bi...
wonderful sophie, beautiful colours and shapes a wonderful colour vibration
tkrosevear
AMAZING ;) xoxox
Sharon Mau
Aloha Sophie, congratulations on your wonderful feature in Impressionist Art
Karirose
Very passionate.