Aurelia’s Relic 2017

Mary Jane Ansell's 2017 painting "Aurelia’s Relic" depicts a young woman in a white, frilly dress holding a deer antler. The subject's intense gaze and the stark white setting create a sense of mystery and unease. The antler, a symbol of both life and death, suggests a complex narrative that invites the viewer to interpret the scene. Ansell's masterful use of light and shadow further enhances the painting's dramatic effect. The hyperrealism of the painting is a hallmark of Ansell's style, creating an almost photographic illusion.