A beautiful image of Saint Benedict in his “Holy Cave” (Sacro Speco) at Subiaco, Italy, graces the monastic chapel of the Benedictine nuns of the Monastery of “Our Lady of Tepeyac” at Coyoacan in Mexico City.
Chiaroscuro is defined as the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, giving a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional figures. In more pedestrian terms, chiaroscuro is achieved simply by drawing or painting on a white background, with various degrees of black defining the composition, in this case, our Holy Father Saint Benedict.
The image in the nuns’ chapel is approximately a meter tall and painted directly onto a niche in the wall. Natural light above the niche illuminates Saint Benedict.
Holy Father Benedict, pray for us.
Abbot Christian and the monks
