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The Substance Of Hope by Elspeth Young

The Substance Of Hope


{ Anna }
Pre-mounted Giclées on canvas (gatorboard)
High-grade canvas artwork reproductions pre-mounted to durable gatorboard for easy framing without glass.
12" x 16"$140.0014" x 18"$175.0016" x 20"$215.00
12" x 18.5"$157.0014" x 20"$191.0018" x 24"$280.00
Giclées on canvas (unmounted canvas roll)
Larger rolled canvas prints with a 2-inch margin for the customer to mount the print to stretcher bars at a local framing store or art center. No glass needed.
16" x 24.75"$193.0018" x 28"$238.0024" x 30"$328.00
20" x 24"$228.0020" x 28"$261.0024" x 36"$388.00
18" x 27.75"$236.0020" x 30.75"$284.0024" x 37"$398.00
Paper prints
High-grade art reproductions available on photo paper (in sizes 12x18 and larger) or on high-quality 9pt (100#) paper. Combined shipping available for most smaller sizes.
16" x 20"$73.0020" x 24"$100.0024" x 36"$168.00
18" x 24"$93.0024" x 30"$143.00
Other products
Other options including the original artwork, bookmarks, and limited edition prints.
Original oil painting$13,129.00 Sold
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† These prints show the entire painting. All other images are cropped to fit standard frame/print sizes. By purchasing a print, you agree to accept the image shipped to you whether cropped or not, as presented on this site. All print sizes link to a preview of the print. Print sizes are the image dimensions, not the dimensions of the paper.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess...

she was of great age…which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 1:11

The story behind The Substance Of Hope

Anna the prophetess is depicted here seated in the temple.  Her gaze is confident and purposeful because of her faith in the promised Messiah.  The painting depicts her the moment before she sees and recognizes the Savior, brought as an infant to the temple by Mary and Joseph.  Her eyes see with an eye of faith the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).  In his account Luke shows the reader that Anna’s faith and hope was, indeed, substance and power:  She sees the Messiah.  This painting seeks to represent the power of such faith.

Symbolism in The Substance Of Hope

Anna holds several fresh red anemone in her hands.  Scholars believe this species is a likely candidate for the "lilies of the field" mentioned by the Savior in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:28).  The Savior uses these flowers to remind us of the inner beauty attainable through discipleship, and are likewise included in the painting to represent Anna’s trust in the Lord and His ability to provide for her if she follows Him in faith (Matthew 6:30).

Besides representing a sacrificial offering, the white doves at Anna’s feet also symbolize the Holy Ghost, as described in the Gospel accounts of the Savior’s baptism (see Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, John 1:32).

Anna wears a gold wedding band, symbolizing her marriage as a young woman.  Not only is the ring symbolic, such wedding bands were a common custom among the Hebrews, likely adopted from the Egyptian custom of wearing a ring on the four finger of the left hand because it was believed that a vein connected that finger to the heart.

Bibliography

Cansdale, George. All the Animals of the Bible Lands. Grand Rapids, MI: The Paternoster Press, 1970.

Freeman, James M. Manners and Customs of the Bible. New York: Logos International, 1972.

Hepper, FN. Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Plants: flowers and trees, fruits and vegetables, ecology. Leicester, England: Inter Varsity Press, 1992.

Paine, T. O. Solomon’s Temple. Massachusetts: E. B. Myers & Chandler, 1868.

© By Elspeth Young, All Rights Reserved. You may not print, copy, or reproduce this artwork or make derivative works from it without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. For permissions, please review our FAQ page.



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The Substance Of Hope by Elspeth Young appears in Liahona magazine

By Al R. Young The Substance Of Hope, by Elspeth Young, appeared in an article in the June 2012 issue of the Liahona magazine, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The painting is part of Al Young Studios' Women of the Bible Fine Art Collection.... Read more »

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The Substance Of Hope by Elspeth Young appears in Ensign Magazine

By Al R. Young The Substance Of Hope, by Elspeth Young, appeared in an article in the June 2012 issue of the Ensign Magazine, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The painting is part of Al Young Studios' Women of the Bible Fine Art Collection.... Read more »

Tags: The Substance Of Hope, 3rd-party Publications, 2012, News


The Substance of Hope by Elspeth Young featured in December 2011 Ensign

By Al R. Young
Elspeth's painting of Anna the Prophetess, entitled The Substance of Hope (pictured left), is featured on page 33 of the December 2011 Ensign Magazine.  The painting illustrates the following quotation from Patrick Kearon:

"We learn from Anna's experience that we can live faithfully through all weathers if we are consistent in our fasting and prayer and if we do not depart from the temple in our hearts. If we haven't yet had the opportunity to travel to a temple and receive its blessings, we can still enjoy the blessings that flow into our lives when we worthily hold a temple recommend... Read more »

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Tags: That Good Part, The Substance Of Hope, Forsaking All, 3rd-party Publications, 2007, News


Liahona magazine features four of Elspeth's oil paintings

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Tags: That Good Part, The Substance Of Hope, Forsaking All, 3rd-party Publications, 2007, News


Illustration: The Substance Of Hope

By Al R. Young
High-resolution digital copies are available from the Studios for use as illustrations.  Use the serial number—appearing below the thumbnail—in requesting permission from the Studios (see links at the bottom of this page for detail).


The correct form of attribution when publishing an image is specified in the license agreement issued to the publisher by Al Young Studios.Guidelines for requests to copy or publish artworks created by the Artists of Al Young Studios

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The original image is available for sale, please contact us for details... Read more »

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