This mixed media painting deals with Emma's early years, leading up to
her escape from a dictatorial father. It obviously does not take the form
of a literal portrait, but rather it contains elements of her early
experiences to give an impression of her nature during this time. I
wanted to have the water present as a backdrop for this piece, because
of what I believe would have been the significance of Magaguadavic
Lake in Sarah Emma’s formative years.  The image of the book
represents an incident that Emma says had a tremendous impact on
her when she was about thirteen. A peddler had visited their home, and
as it was getting late in the day, Emma’s mother invited the man to stay
with them until morning. When he was leaving the next day, as a token
of appreciation for the family’s kindness, the peddler gave Emma a
novel -- something that her strict Calvinist father would never have
allowed had he known about it. The novel was a melodramatic account
of a young heroine who disguised herself as a man in order to rescue her
lover from pirates. Emma recalled her feelings after reading the novel
by saying, “I felt as if an angel had touched me with a live coal from off
the altar,” (reminiscent of an account in the Biblical book of Isaiah). “I
was emancipated.  And I could never again be a slave.” In my
composition, the birds flying away from the book and the live coals,
represent that emancipation.  The water, very dark in the lower portion
of the painting, brightens as the birds continue upward in their flight.
                                                                       
Sarah Emma Edmonds I:
Departure
by
Amy V. Lindenberger, CPSA
View the next painting in the series:
Sarah Emma Edmonds II: Transformation/Liberation
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January 13, 2012
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Original Artwork
Framed size: 26 x 20
Image size: 24 x 18
$1200.

Giclée Reproductions
150 Signed & Numbered Limited
Editions

Image Size: 14 3/4 x 11  
Overall Size: 16 x 20
Price: $60.00