Description
Elijah ascends to Heaven
Elijah holds a special place in Jewish tradition as an eternal mystical and mythical figure, who appears regularly at critical periods as a guide and comforter. Elijah appears annually in every Jewish household when he is welcomed in during the seder at Pessach. There’s a beautiful example of a Chassidic Elijah story centering on the Baal Shem Tov. Although not it’s directly about Elijah, it clearly shows the love, respect and awe that we have for him. You can read the story here.
In the painting, Elijah ascends to Heaven in a horse-drawn chariot of fire, while Elisha reaches out to him from below. Elijah’s cloak descends to Elisha, a moment defining the younger prophet’s succession.
וַיְהִי, הֵמָּה הֹלְכִים הָלוֹךְ וְדַבֵּר, וְהִנֵּה רֶכֶב-אֵשׁ וְסוּסֵי אֵשׁ, וַיַּפְרִדוּ בֵּין שְׁנֵיהֶם; וַיַּעַל, אֵלִיָּהוּ, בַּסְעָרָה, הַשָּׁמָיִם. מלכים ב’ פרק ב
As they were crossing, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha answered, “Let a double portion of your spirit pass on to me.”
“You have asked a difficult thing,” he said. “If you see me as I am being taken from you, this will be granted to you; if not, it will not.”
As they kept on walking and talking, a fiery chariot with fiery horses suddenly appeared and separated one from the other; and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “Oh, father, father! Israel’s chariots and horsemen!” When he could no longer see him, he grasped his garments and rent them in two.
He picked up Elijah’s mantle, which had dropped from him; and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Kings 2 Ch 2
The print is as faithful as possible to the original artwork. While being a digital print, none of this is an automatic process: I work with the same printer I’ve used for years, who does the most excellent work. Once you’ve placed your order, your print will be made specially for you. Then, when I receive it, I check that it’s truly up to standard before sending it to you by traceable, express post. (UK buyers please note that you’ll have to pay Import VAT and a customs fee before you can receive your print at the Post Office or from Parcel Force – but it’s not a huge amount!)
All Images Copyright © Darius Gilmont 2021. Unauthorised use is prohibited by the Highest Authority: “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus Ch 20).
To request permission please email me.