In 2019, an oil painting of an 8-year-old girl was purchased for a sky-high price, worth $850,000. The incident caused a stir in public opinion for some time. It is a portrait called "Prince of Peace", a 2003 painting by Akiane Kramarik, a famous American art prodigy.
So what magical experience does Akiane have, and why is she called a child prodigy?
Mysterious Prophecy
Akiane was born in 1994 in Illinois, USA. The day before the baby was full month, her mother received a strange phone call from Europe. The person on the other end of the line said that in Armenia, there was a woman named Victoria walking around saying that a little girl named Akiane was a child chosen by God and would have great prospects in the future. Akiane's parents thought this was probably just a joke.
Unexpectedly, it wasn't long before a woman named Victoria called in person. With a strong Russian intonation and somewhat strenuous but enthusiastic, Ms. Victoria described the traumatic events that Akiane was about to experience. Akiane's mother politely expressed her gratitude to the unknown woman, and she quickly forgot the story. Why? Because at that time Akiane's parents didn't believe in God, so they just heard it and didn't care.
Since childhood, Akiane, he and his younger brother were educated and taught at home by their mother, and did not go to school. The family also rarely socializes with neighbors, doesn't watch TV, and never discusses topics related to God.
However, from the age of 4, there was a teacher who taught Akiane to draw in dreams. The girl said her teacher lived in the "light mansion", a place pure and splendid, with colors not found in the world. Since school required practice, Akiane began to doodle everywhere. On the walls, the windows, the furniture, the pages of the book, wherever possible are imprinted with hundreds of portraits and pictures drawn by Akiane. Sometimes she uses charcoal from the fireplace at home to paint, sometimes she uses fruits and vegetables picked from the garden as a paintbrush. And it's not surprising that she was scolded by her parents.
The little girl was sad and feeling unjust, and then she began to talk to her mother about what she saw and heard in the dream. But her mother, who was born and raised in Lithuania, was brought up by Soviet atheism from an early age, she didn't believe it at all. Fortunately, at this moment, her grandmother appeared.
Although her grandmother only stayed with Akiane's family for a month, she had a huge influence on Akiane's life. Because she is the only one in the family who can understand Akiane's dream and encourage her to be creative. She gently told Akiane: “She has believed in God all her life, but in Lithuania, she is afraid to share her faith with family and friends. Dear Akiane, don't repeat my mistakes. Please share your beliefs with everyone. My life and everyone else will be filled with happiness because of that. Never give up on your passion for painting!”
Grandmother also tells the story of her mother Victoria, who is Akiane's great-grandmother. During World War II, Victoria lost her husband, right arm, and a child. She had to struggle to raise five children alone. In such difficult circumstances, she even risked her family's life to keep her Jewish relatives in the house. Like a miracle, these relatives hid in the old man's house for two years, until the war ended. This story has inspired Akiane to become stronger and steadfast in her beliefs. That is, what she promised God, is to strive to paint and help others.
After that, Akiane painted this painting "Dancing Against Time" to commemorate the good deed of great-grandmother Victoria. The painting "Dance Back in Time" is my tribute to all the people in the world who are trying to fight for freedom, she said. It is expressed in this way: on the candlesticks, the candlelight transforms into nine dancers, sacrificing their own lives for others to illuminate our darkest moments. , and in remembrance of the holiest of those beings.”
After her grandmother left, Akiane's parents were more tolerant and understanding. Parents also started buying painting tools, supporting her creativity.
See more of this article at: Vietnamese Catholic News