These two mini-paintings show two of the carved statues of the saints, which the neighborhood’s Italian clubs carry around on their shoulders during their saint’s particular feast days every summer in the North End. The residents and business owners come out to pin silk streamers of money onto the passing saints as crowds gather and the marching band plays. It’s quite a moving sight, and the weekend-long events are great. I urge you all to see and participate in the North End’s various Italian feasts this year!
These mini-paintings are of Saint Mary and Saint Joseph, the Earthly parents of Jesus. I could see both of their statues from the street, in the niches they occupy until the band starts playing. Then they’ll be hoisted up again and proudly paraded through the streets of the neighborhood.
I loved the colors, the flowers, and all the traditions I saw when I looked at these sacred carvings. Thinking of their story and their revered status, I felt that this pair of little paintings would be fitting for Spring in general, and Easter in particular.
These oil paintings are only 4″X4″, so they try to pack lots of local color into a small space!
There are plenty of other North End paintings to be seen (as well as paintings from my trips to Italy and Sicily) on Flickr and at this Etsy shop. Michael can be reached at michaeldeanart@gmail.com.
[Click on the thumbnail images to start a full screen slideshow, Images by Michael Dean]
I see these walking by all the time. Nice work!