Michael Thomas Waples Memorial Scholarship

My artwork was created for my Medieval Humanities class and is inspired by the Italian "mappa mundi". These medieval maps were not merely geographical; they were designed to guide the viewer toward what was most important in the world. In the same way, my map brings together the literature, philosophy, and theology we studied throughout the year. It attempts to capture the magnanimity of the medieval mind and guide the viewer toward eternal Paradise. The map follows a sequence of events and places. Each circle corresponds to a day of the liturgical Holy Week. At the same time, the sequence represents multiple transitions: night into day, winter into spring, Dante’s journey from Inferno to Paradiso, and the Church’s movement through time on earth. Gold throughout the map symbolizes the divine Light, while silver indicates a lesser but still heavenly light. Circle One depicts the Fall (Genesis 1–3). It represents dusk, the beginning of sin and death, and Spy Wednesday. The scene also references the unclimbable hill from Inferno Canto I. Circle Two shows the Tabernacle during the Israelites' Exodus. This corresponds with Maundy Thursday and the Passover, a time of anticipation. The Lord's fire symbolizes God guiding His people toward the Promised Land (Exodus 13:21–22). Separate from the central sequence are the Three Fates from Greek mythology. Behind them is Rota Fortuna from The Consolation of Philosophy. Together they symbolize our mortal lives, ultimately subject to God’s will. Circle Three represents the Crucifixion on Good Friday. It is Inferno, night, and winter. It is based on Eastern Orthodox iconography. Beneath the cross, the earth is cracked, symbolizing the defeat of sin and death. Circle Four represents Holy Saturday, a time of waiting and prayer. It corresponds to Purgatory, midnight, and the Church’s present state awaiting the Second Coming. There are three images: an astronomer anticipating the celestial alignment associated with the Star of Bethlehem; a prayer altar; and Lucy and the lamppost from The Chronicles of Narnia, representing childlike faith and hope amid winter’s darkness. The stars, candles, and lamppost echo John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Circle Five depicts the Resurrection at dawn on Easter Sunday. Based on Orthodox iconography, Christ stands triumphantly over the broken gates of Hell, in the fullness of his glory. Circle Six shows Sainte-Chapelle, representing the earthly Church and the light of the divine expressed through Gothic architecture and Scripture-filled stained glass. Circle Seven portrays Paradiso and the celestial planets, along with the Music of the Spheres, represented by the hymn Be Thou My Vision. At the center stands the perfected tree of Paradise whose root is Yahweh. From the tree in Eden extend dead branches representing the results of the Fall, while the golden roots of the tree of Life signify the Divine. Surrounding the central image are biblical scenes, saints, and historical figures. Left Border: The Authors We Read Saint Augustine, Saint Boethius, Saint Jack (C.S. Lewis), Dante Alighieri, The Four Cardinal Virtues Right Border: Those Important and Influential to the Artist Saint Matilda of Ringelheim, Virgil, Saint Theodora, Saint Catherine of Siena, Fruits of the Holy Spirit Top border: The Leading Up to the Birth of Christ/Scenes of Humility The Abrahamic & Circumcision Covenant, 2 Samuel 6:12-15, The Annunciation, The Incarnation Bottom Border: Great Kings & Leaders of The Church Charlemagne, Emperor Justinian, Emperor Constantine, Alfred the Great Finally, a small caterpillar in Eden symbolizes humanity in its fallen state. Beneath the Crucifixion it forms a chrysalis, and after the Resurrection it emerges as a butterfly, transformed and rising toward Paradise.