About The Picture

        Scholars are agreed that the Blessed Virgin Mary spent her last years, accompanied by St. John, in Ephesus, Turkey. The home is restored and is rapidly becoming an international pilgrimage center.

        This picture of Mary is the result of several years work shared by the artist and a lady who was blessed with a vision of Mary during a visit to Meryem Ana in 1959. The following is a brief excerpt taken from the book, Our Lady of Ephesus by Rev. Bernard F. Deutsch, based on this vision.

" ... the Blessed Mother didn't look as I had always pictured her. Her hair was black instead of light ... Then I looked at her eyes. Because of having heard that Mary's smile was the most beautiful thing about her appearance, I continued: 'They're wrong. It's your eyes that are most beautiful! So this is how love and happiness look - it's all in your eyes!' Then looking at her cheek: 'No, it's your cheek that is most beautiful.' I looked at her mouth ... 'No,' I said 'it's your mouth that is most beautiful.' 'Oh yes, they are right! It is your smile that is most beautiful.' ..."

        Mary's hair was loose around her forehead. She wore a sheer veil, pale in color, which seemed to be folded back on her head and to fall longer than her shoulders. And I remember so well thinking of those beautiful amber eyes, so very round and full that all creation could be seen in them. I simply couldn't take my eyes from her face and, therefore, am unable to describe anything else Mary wore - I really don't know." (page #128)

The American Society of Ephesus, Inc.
(George B. Quatman Foundation)
327 North Elizabeth Street
Lima, Ohio 45801