Blessed are the Pure in Heart

Published in 'Everybody's Magazine' for Christmas 1906, 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God' was a Alphonse Mucha painting which was painted at a time in his life when he visited America with his wife and child and faced a crossroads both personally and in his religious faith.

The Bible says that 'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ~ Matthew 5:8'. Christians believe that the blood shed by Jesus Christ washed our sins away.

When we stand in front of Jesus Christ and His saints on Judgement Day, we must be as pure as the driven, white snow: we are the children of Jesus.

The childish innocence of the portrait reminds us of our childhood and the need for our hearts to be pure, like a child, so that we can see God. Jesus said that unless you receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, you cannot enter into it (Mark 10:15).

Unlike many of Alphonse Mucha’s paintings, 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God' features two young women, dressed in flowing white dresses, who are both sat beneath a cascading white blossom tree.

Surrounded by white blossoms and white flowers (a metaphor for childhood innocence and maidenhood), the frosty ground and snow-covered grass represent Winter and the Christmas season - time to repent your sins.

The first girl is sat with her two hands on her lap, holding onto what appears to be a straw nest. The second girl, with plaited brown hair, is partially hidden and is sat on the floor: her bare feet trailing in the snow.

The imagery of the two women deep in thought emphasises the need to reflect on your sins, so you maintain your affection for others and also maintain your purity.