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Finalmente, in cima a tutto questo, guardandola, guidandola, accompagnando, c’è la
Vergine Maria con in braccio Gesù, suo Figlio, nel cui nome siamo tutte riunite.
English
The purpose of this brief description on the “origins” of this work is to help us have a better
understanding of the illustrations.
After pondering the content for a long period of time and allowing myself to penetrate, as
deeply as possible, the mystery of this Paschal night lived by Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac
- a night in which she moved from the darkness of desolation to a clear and luminous
consolation - and after reading and rereading the narration of this night, making it my own,
I only needed to fnd a way to express it in a manner that was faithful to the experience.
First of all, I decided against a mere historical representation of the event (places,
costumes, etc.)
My only desire was to express, to the best of my ability, the various spiritual and emotional
states of Saint Jeanne in living this experience and the presence of the Lord within her.
I then divided the text, choosing the different stages of the process, one after the other.
I identifed six “moments” of struggle and darkness leading to a beautiful experience of
profound peace; this is followed by three other moments of consolation, visions and light
on the path revealed to her.
In all, there are 10 illustrations and a brief commentary explaining the story.
1. Following the text literally, I chose to draw Jeanne prostrated in a voluminous night
dress, crushed under the weight of an incomprehensible “misfortune.” She wants to live
this experience in God. Jeanne calls on the silent, humble, loving and faithful presence
of God. In front of her on the foor a small light shines, unseen by her. This light will be
present in each stage of the night, until the fnal moment of peace. This light unifes the
series of illustrations.
2. In this picture we are reminded of her many victories over diffcult times: regarding her
family (Landiras), the world (Bordeaux), herself (the boat leaving for Toulouse)… And she
asks herself: “All of this, for nothing?”
3. “Was I mistaken in following your call?” Nonetheless, she certainly had not acted
in haste! In this illustration she is completely overcome, bent over, as if enclosed in a
dark vault with thick walls, a vault that becomes progressively weaker and lighter, until
reaching the point of profound peace. This is the moment it breaks open, making room for
the presence of the Spirit-Consoler.