The 6th Illustration in the Michael Jackson Series
Title: ‘Twas The Night
Illustration by Donna Massa 2010
Description: In this illustration Michael is symbolically compared to the real St. Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the fourth century AD. It is remarkable, their personalities and character traits I found to be amazingly one and the same. In this adaptation of the story “ ‘Twas The Night” before Christmas, Michael is portrayed as a king rather than Santa Claus. His clothing attire is similar to that of the Holy Fathers a Cardinal, Bishop, or Pope, he wears his jeweled crown that was exclusively designed for him. I chose the colors red and burgundy for his outer robe, for these are the colors of royalty. The intricate gold-threaded brocade borders his entire robe, and his gold satin cuffs are symbols of the jeweled inlaid motifs customary of a Pope’s robe. His hand mitts are made of soft white leather with square-shaped jeweled motifs. In his right hand, he holds the staff of St. Nicholas and in his left hand the candle of holy light. He carries toys in a velvet sapphire sack and is scurrying about with no time to waste. The room that shelters his three children is designed with furniture of the sixth-century England. The floor boards are composed of rich, glazed, painted oak traditional of the times. Above the canopy bed is the white peace dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. It’s light and purity beam out over his children with eternal grace and unconditional love. They are tucked in securely with a white embroiled cotton eyelet bed skirt, while their stockings are hung neatly on the stylized notches joined to the front of the foot board. As a devoted father and king, Michael’s most important stop is his children first, for they are the very essence of his heart and soul…
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