Saint Odilia of Alsace

Description

Saint Odilia of Alsace: patron saint of the blind and ophthalmology

Saint Odilia of Alsace, also known as Odilie, Odile or Ottilie, born around 660 AD, is one of the most important saints in the Alsace region and is venerated in particular as the patron saint of the blind and for ophthalmology. Her life story is characterized by deep faith, miraculous events and exceptional leadership. This woman, who became a symbolic figure of Christianity despite many adversities, inspired many people. Her father gave her an estate on the Hohenburg in Alsace – later known as Odilienberg (French: Mont Sainte-Odile), where she founded a monastery in 690.

An impressive oil painting from the 18th century captures the most important stages of her life and illustrates the significance of her deeds for posterity.

To the painting:

St. Odilia and the stages of her life

The oil painting shows St. Odilia as she was baptized at the age of twelve by Bishop Erhard of Regensburg and then miraculously regained her sight, around the central theme of eight stages in the life of St. Odilia as follows.

1. Saint Odilia is born blind
2. Is striven for life by your father.
3. She is taken by her mother to the Baume-les-Dames convent in the Besançon district for her protection.
4. Father is exhorted by divine inspiration to baptize St. Odilia.
5. The main picture (center) is baptized by Bishop Erhard of Regensburg.
6. She receives her father’s money and goods
7. Builds a convent with 130 virgins
8. In life she was abbess of the monastery of Odilienberg (French: Mont Sainte-Odile).
9. Death of St. Odilia and miraculous healing around the coffin.
10. Patron saint and miracle-working saint of the blind and eye-sick.

The dimensions of the painting are H.60.0 cm x L.50.0 cm and the dimensions with frame are H.99.0 cm x L.73.0 cm
The oil painting on canvas is in perfect condition, the carved and gilded wooden frame is the original frame from the Rococo period.

The time of origin around 1750.

It is framed in a perfectly preserved, carved and gilded rococo frame.

The painting comes from a private collection in Munich.

This work of art is in its original state of preservation.

A rare collector’s item!