The Dream of St. Joseph

66 x 44.4 in. Jane H. Fortune Gallery. Matthew 1:20-23: The angel comes to Joseph in a dream, pointing to the luminous vision of Mary crowned with stars (Apocalypse 12:1), with the Divine Spirit (dove and triangle) hovering over her and Jesus Incarnate in her womb. The angel also seems to carry a book and a light, perhaps indicating the fulfillment of the prophecies quoted in Matthew’s text. The white flowers may indicate the fruitful virginity that Joseph is to share with Mary and Jesus. Joseph’s halo shows him to be the “righteous man” of faith (Matthew 1:19). The angel communicates to Joseph his vocation as husband of the Mother of God.