There are 3 accounts of the martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity, one from Perpetua's own diary. She was a noble lady of Carthage who was imprisoned in 202 AD for being a Christian. She gave her nursing baby up to her father, who was a pagan and was joined by several friends who had also refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. One of these friends was Felicity, a pregnant, married slave.

Two days after Felicity gave birth, the child was taken away and the two women were put in the amphitheater to be mauled by beasts. The crowd felt pity on them as they courageously clung together and it was decided they should be beheaded. The executioner was so taken aback by Perpetua's noble bearing that she had to guide his blade to her neck.

We are inspired by the witness of these two young mothers who sacrificed everything, even the joy of bringing up their babies, for the love of Christ.

 

IMPORTANT: Each of the 3 sizes indicates outside dimensions. There is a border of white left around the image, approximately 1 1/2" to 2" all around.

Signed by artist. 

Archival Quality

Comes in a close-fitting crystal-clear plastic sleeve with a whiteboard backing.

Archival Quality: All our prints are made using premium acid-free fine art paper in card thickness, and high quality Epson pigments (instead of dyes), rated by a third party to last 200+ years when not hung in direct sunlight. These prints are beautiful today and are time capsules of the faith for future generations.

(C) Copyright Sue Kouma Johnson                                                                                        This image may not be reproduced in any form without express permission of the artist.

Sue's Husband's note:

Perpetua is on the left, and this is at the point of the story where she has resolved to give her life up for Christ, that's why she looks more like an icon, because at this moment she is very close to Christ. Felicity is looking at the baby and considering her choice, which is why she looks more like a natural woman. Note how their arms are linked together as though one; on their way in to be martyred, Perpetua told them all to hold on to each other. Note also how the redness of their robes forms a semi-heart shape, and note the fingers of the baby, as though, Christ-like, he is blessing Felicity and indicating the two natures of the Messiah, human and divine. The blessing from the baby also balances the impending sorrow at the loss of her life and her baby with the joy of the promise of salvation. This is one of my favorite paintings of Sue's. Palm fronds, too, are traditional symbols of martyrdom.