The portrait depicts the medieval saint, Benedictine abbess, and mystic Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) – a prophetess and “seer.” She was an unconventional saint, and as a mystic, she was far from submissive. She saw the connection between humanity and the entire cosmos, as well as with minerals and plants. Her attitude is best captured by her own words: “O human, look at the human being. For the human being contains heaven and earth and all other things within. They are a unity, and all things are hidden within them.”

In the artist’s interpretation, Hildegard possessed a profound connection with the wisdom of nature. She recognized that the human being is a multidimensional entity and, in addition to physical ailments, can experience illnesses of the soul (the psychological aspect of the human). She treated these with music, minerals, and herbs.

While painting the portrait, the artist listened to Hildegard’s music, including Canticles of Ecstasy (performed by Sequentia, 1994). The artist was introduced to Hildegard’s world through miniatures based on her visions from the book Scivias, particularly “The Universe” (the cosmic egg), in which all existence is surrounded by a divine voice depicted as singing heads.

In the portrait, Saint Hildegard is shown beneath a multicolored mandorla in the shape of a heart or a womb. It symbolizes the saint’s spirituality and her connection to everything that exists. The mandorla is adorned with minerals, including lapis lazuli, emerald, and coral. In her left hand, Hildegard holds a bouquet of galaxies, as she traveled—and continues to travel—skilfully through multiverses. The gesture of holding a piece of the universe symbolizes her agency and power. In her practice, spirituality merged with nature, and human physicality with its psychological dimension. Much like in the matristic Goddess cultures discovered by Marija Gimbutas, the material aspect of life served as her point of action within the supersensory dimension.

Technique, dimension: oil on canvas, 140 × 115 cm

First showing: 2026, Alina Foundation

Ownership: Monika Waraxa