The Convent Garden (1878)

The Convent Garden painted by Francis Walker (1848–1916) is displayed at the Leeds Art Gallery, and dates to 1878. As well as a lovely garden, of which my picture offers just a snapshot, it shows a group of nuns, among whom an older woman offers instruction or advice to a novice, whose distinctive headdress denotes her juniority.

Whatever we might think of nuns and nunneries, their system of mentoring and training the inexperienced ensured the survival of the model for centuries. Older men and women are called to assist and strengthen the younger; those mature should make space under their wings for the immature and the weak.

Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Job 4:3

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