Author: N / A
Created: 1807.
Material / technique: oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 80x75 cm. (Two-sided painting. On the other side: St Hyacinth).
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the image of Jesus’ heart in flames encircled by the crown of thorns and surmounted by a cross. It reflects and reminds of Jesus’ love, sensitivity and goodness during His entire life and especially in the mysteries of the Incarnation, Passion and Eucharist.
The most important role in spreading that mysterious flame of love was assigned to the nun of the Visitation Convent, St Margaret Mary (1647–1690) from the small French town of Paray-le-Monial. She saw apparitions of the Sacred Heart in flames, spreading rays of brilliant light, brighter than the sun, transparent like a crystal, wounded, encircled by the crown of thorns, and surmounted by a cross. Revealing himself at the time when people’s faith was undermined and there were rebellions against the church, Christ revealed to the nun the desires of His Heart and entrusted her with renewal of piety: "Behold the Heart that has so loved men...instead of gratitude I receive from the greater part (of mankind) only ingratitude...."
Reference: "The Lithuanian art collection of Jaunius Gumbis". Museum and Collector - 6. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2016, Kat. No, P. 50.
Published: "The Lithuanian art collection of Jaunius Gumbis". Museum and Collector - 6. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2016, Kat. No, P. 51.
Exhibitions: „St Dominic and St Hyacinth in Lithuania: Eight Centuries of Memory“, 17 August 2021 – 29 January 2022, Church Heritage Museum, Vilnius.