The Wise and Foolish Virgins and Four Other Scenes

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Pierce, one of Ohio’s most famous artists, was a barber, preacher and woodcarver. He would have used these scenes that suggest the rewards of vigilance and faith as illustrations while he preached. On the top, the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins reminds us to remain alert since the call to serve may come at any time. The scene of the woman taken in adultery in the second row admonishes that only he who is without sin may cast the first stone. Also in the second row is a symbolic representation of redemption: a man holding up a soiled and clean heart. The bottom row contains an unknown courtroom drama and a scene of Jesus healing the sick.

Keywords

Folk Art
African American
Parable
Self Taught
Spiritualism
Sermon
Preacher
Wood
Ohioan
Allegory
Narrative