The Legend of Saint Christopher
"Hodges masterfully adapts William Caxton's 15th-century translation of The Golden Legend to serve up a saint's tale with strong folkloric elements. . .
Watson's artwork achieves a startling blend of the ancient and the timeless, the archetypal and the particular -- he paints narrative elements in representational oils, reserving the backgrounds for abstract patterns that hint at the mythic roots of the legend." Publishers Weekly
The oil painted illustrations for this book began as abstract paintings, with realism gradually emerging through the chaos. Utilizing dark and light dramatic elements provided a canvas to explore the revelations unfolding within this epic myth.
In Offero’s quest to find the greatest king in the world he encounters a fearful king, a dark knight, a hermit who directs him to the river’s edge.
He stays by the river and carries travelers across the water until he discovers the One he sought.
After carrying the child across the river Offero was given a new name: Christopher, Christ-bearer. He became known as the Patron Saint of Travelers.
My grandson, Clayton, was the model for the Christ-child, along with neighbor, also an artist, Joel Burns, as Offero. Other friends generously posed for characters in this book.
Awards and Reviews:
The Original Art 45th Annual Exhibition (2003) Society of Illustrators
"The familiar story of Saint Christopher gets an artful treatment here. . . . Children meeting this story for the first time will be drawn to it, just as others have been over the centuries." Booklist
"Hodges does an admirable job retelling the thirteenth-century legend, and Watson's illustrations convey the magnitude of the story.” The Horn Book Guide
"The author has adapted this very beautiful and familiar legend of St. Christopher, giving it several dramatic touches. . . . Full-color illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson are absolutely gorgeous, with vibrating colors and realistic images." The Catholic Observer
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The Legend of Saint Christopher, by Margaret Hodges, illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers 2002 ISBN:0-80235077 ISBN:0-802850074 ISBN:9780802853608