**Originally Listed At $800**

Gina Dawson, ordained name being Sister Rose Regina (American, active in mid-20th century). "The Calming of the Sea" and "Precursor" - both oil on canvas, ca. 1961. Two religious paintings, both signed Gina Dawson on the lower right but also signed with the artist's ordained name - Sister Rose Regina - on the versos, which also include handwritten titles and dates as well as numbers that may indicate exhibition and/or catalog numbers. "The Calming of the Sea" features a bearded male Christ figure donning a red robe and presenting a tranquil, closed eyed expression, surrounded by majestic blue hues intended to conjure the sea. "Precursor" presents John the Baptist bare chested, his head turned slightly toward his left with an emotive visage. The palette is vibrant with warm reds, peach, and contrasting cool blues. Both are expertly delineated with loose, expressive brushstrokes and rich impasto passages. Size of both paintings: 30.2" L x 23.875" W (76.7 cm x 60.6 cm)

This is a very special pair of religious paintings as John the Baptist is also referred to as the forerunner or messenger of Jesus Christ. Forming a link between the Old and New Testaments, John the Baptist is regarded as the last of the Old Testament prophets and among the first saints of the New Testament. In addition, John the Baptist had a following of disciples, and Christ was one of the recipients of his rite of baptism. At Christ's baptism, the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove descended from heaven. Furthermore, the Gospel of Luke states that John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth were related. Finally, the fact that Sister Rose Regina painted this pair adds yet another sacred layer of meaning to these paintings.

Sister Rose Regina is an understudied artist; however, we do know that she had two exhibitions at Marymount College, Loyola University in the 1960s: Foley Gallery: Religious Art: Consequences of Ferment: Sr. Rose Regina, OP lecture and exhibition announcement, 1965 and Foley Gallery: Loyola Looks to the Sea: Sr. Rose Regina, OP exhibit announcement; catalog, July 1966.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162540

Both paintings are signed Gina Dawson on the lower right but also signed with the artist's ordained name - Sister Rose Regina - on the versos, which also include handwritten titles and dates as well as numbers that may indicate exhibition and/or catalog numbers. Versos of canvases show slight darkening and areas of staining. Painted compositions are in very good condition.