Lot 137

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Description:

Kerouac Jack Jack Kerouac's Vintage Agnus Dei Print, Depicting Child Jesus, St. Joseph, & St. John the Baptist

 

A vintage religious print personally owned by Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), the famous mid-century American writer who brought us On The Road (1957). Provenance: The lot will be accompanied by an estate certification signed by John Shen-Sampas, executor of the Kerouac Estate by descent. John Shen-Sampas is the son of John Sampas, who was the brother-in-law of Jack Kerouac, and the brother of Stella Kerouac, Jack's wife.

 

The color print is displayed behind glass in a burnished wooden frame, and fully ready to hang. Not examined out of frame. A pencil inscription is found on the back of the cardboard backing. The picture hanging wire may need reinforcement, else near fine. The sight size is 7.75"  x 9.75" while the overall size of the frame is 9.25" x 11.25" x .625".

 

The child Jesus symbolizes the liturgy of the Agnus Dei, usually recited or chanted during Roman Catholic Communion, and inspired by John 1:29: "Agnus dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis" ["Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us."] Kerouac, a devout Roman Catholic, would have appreciated the rich symbolism of this devotional image: the lamb symbolizing Christ's future sacrifice; the bouquet of lilies alluding to divinity; and the ax partly concealed by Joseph's robes pointing to Saint John the Baptist's future beheading, to list just a few.

 

At first glance, Kerouac's piety may seem to contradict his iconoclastic lifestyle, but his Roman Catholicism coexisted with many other creeds, included Buddhism. His Roman Catholic faith was intense and instilled in him by his beloved French-Canadian mother, Gabrielle-Ange Lévesque (1895-1973). Photographs from the interior of Kerouac's last home at 5169 10th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida show numerous religious icons scattered around the rooms and displayed on pieces of furniture.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000