Capital - Exorcising the Canaanite Woman's Daughter
Capital - Exorcising the Canaanite Woman's Daughter
Published 2018-07-18T14:36:39+00:00
A woman from the region of Canaan is depicted, highly defaced, to the right of Christ, recognisable by his cruciform (cross-shaped) halo and surrounded by three disciples. She has come to bed Christ to deliver her daughter from the demon possessing her. She calls him the "Son of David" recognising him as the Saviour. Yet at first he refuses to help her because she is not Jewish. He replies "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel", as in the inscription "NON SUM MISSUS NISI AD OVES QUE PERIERUNT DOMUS ISRAEL". However, given the woman's faith and humility, Jesus grants her wish and heals her daughter, who is depicted beneath a canopy on the left reverse section of the capital. The Canaanite woman is one of the first Gentiles to be converted to the Christian faith.
Date published | 18/07/2018 |
Complexity | Medium |