The Beginning of Miracles: IV 1953

Corita Kent created this print, "The Beginning of Miracles: IV," using silkscreen to explore themes of faith and community. A dominant symbol here is the chalice, a vessel deeply rooted in religious iconography, representing transformation and spiritual nourishment. The chalice resonates with earlier depictions of communal gatherings in the Last Supper, echoing through centuries of art. Think of the Holy Grail—a legendary chalice that appears throughout Arthurian romances—as a symbol of grace and enlightenment. Here, in Kent’s rendering, the chalice, though abstracted, retains its power to evoke shared experience. Kent engages our subconscious by using ancient symbols, triggering collective memories of sacrifice, renewal, and togetherness. She reminds us that the simplest images can carry profound emotional weight. Like a potent spell, this artwork is charged with a deep, spiritual power, transcending time.