Help - Who Painted This?

topic posted Tue, January 1, 2008 - 8:36 PM by  Josie
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I was given what looks to be an Art Nouveau print by a good friend. She was unable to tell me much about the picture other than it came from an antique store, and I haven't been able to find out anything myself. Can you help me?

Here is a description of the picture: Approximately 40 x 16 inches. In front of a deep blue background, a slender woman stands looking out of the picture with her hands raised at chest-height, palms turned inward. Floating above the tips of her fingers, is a warm light which illuminates her face and upper body. She is dressed in a loose white tunic and pants. On her head is a close-fitting cap with a small bright area in the center.

On each side of the print are two columns, above is an angel who holds the hand of a woman covering her head. Above the woman is a word "Hesterus" (difficult to make out the letters).

At the bottom of the picture is the following inscription: "“Men of the earth, Brothers in eternity, shake your souls AWAKE. The hour so long waited for, the promised hour has come. Over the dark firmament of suffering, humanity is rising. The morning star heralding the day when you will understand that man’s most sacred duty is to be man. That is, to manifest Life, Intelligence, Truth and Love. There is no higher aim, no vaster problem. And you who realize this will break the fetters with which ignorance and fear have bound unconscious humanity, will stand up free and know yourselves to be the eternal manifestation of the unmanifest, witnesses of the absolute, sons of that great ALL whom you call God.”

At the end of the inscription and worked into the patterns surrounding the inscription is the word "Svetozar".

I have googled and wikipedia-ed, but haven't been able to find any reference to this print. I'd be very grateful if someone could tell me more about this picture.

Thanks,
Josie
posted by:
Josie
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  • Re: Help - Who Painted This?

    Fri, January 4, 2008 - 2:02 PM
    Do you have a digital camera and can you take a picture of the work and put it on the site? I'm pretty familiar with art nouveau works but I need to see it.
    • Re: Help - Who Painted This?

      Fri, January 11, 2008 - 6:18 PM
      Hi, Druben: I've uploaded the photo on my profile page in the photo section (didn't know how to put it in this post) -- sorry, I'm not much of a photographer. I really am hoping that you'll recognize the print. Thanks for your interest and help.

      Josie
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    Re: Help - Who Painted This?

    Sat, January 3, 2009 - 11:27 AM
    Hi Josie!

    Colin is correct. The picture was painted by Princess Marie Eristoff and the border surrounding the painting (with the figures, columns, and words) was created by Malcolm Thurburn. It was commissioned by Eugene Fersen, author of Science of Being and founder of the Lightbearers Organization. The name 'Svetozar' in the painting refers to him. It also came with a companion piece that explained the symbolism. You can learn more about it here: www.scienceofbeing.net/the_mo...ar.html and learn more about Science of Being here: www.scienceofbeing.net

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