Renowned Art Historian Unveils Many Faces of St. Joseph

The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph as Depicted in Art by Elizabeth Lev. Sophia Institute Press (Manchester, NH, 2021). 225 pp., $18.95.

What is your favorite image or story about St. Joseph? As we prepare for the feast of St. Joseph, I was delighted to revisit this new book on the patron of the universal Church, and recall how many times he has interceded in my life.

This new masterpiece, The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph in Art, by Vatican Museums’ consultant, lecturer, and author Elizabeth Lev portrays how devotion and depictions of St. Joseph have evolved over time. Lev worked as a Vatican analyst for NBC and her captivating TED Talk on the Sistine Chapel received over 1.8 million views.

A cultural talking point, this collectible book showcases St. Joseph in the works of Raphael, Michelangelo, Murillo, Giotto, Caravaggio, El Greco, and more. Readers will be enthralled with the variety of images of St. Joseph, ranging from as a young man changing diapers to an older man beholding the infant Jesus in adoring love.

Lev takes readers on a worldwide tour, throughout the ages, to see the art and devotions to St. Joseph. She was inspired to write this book due to the innumerable images of St. Joseph and shares the heart of his message in her interview on Catholic Family Network.

Igor Babailov, Vatican Papal Artist shared, “This book by Liz Lev is a fabulous insight into the story of St. Joseph, an inspiring ‘portrait in words’ of an iconic saint, a journey into the chronology of depictions of him in art throughout the centuries, and a passionate reminder of him as a timeless subject of divine inspirations to the artists of today.”

Readers will be enthralled by St. Joseph’s faith, fatherhood, and fortitude, even amidst suffering. They will see how the guardian of our Redeemer rides in to save the Church from crises from fatherhood to the family to labor.

George Weigel, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Senior Fellow, enthused, “No one helps us ‘see’ a painting, sculpture. mosaic, or tapestry quite like Elizabeth Lev, whose unique aesthetic insight brings the elusive St. Joseph vibrantly alive in this wonderful book.”

The Silent Knight will enkindle a greater love for sacred art in the lives of readers, as it draws them more deeply into their faith and fosters their meditation. Best of all, in the images of this book, they will encounter St. Joseph who intercedes for us now.

The protector of the Holy Family, St. Joseph, continues to nourish us today: “In the Eucharistic Sacrifice the Church venerates the memory of Mary the ever Virgin Mother of God and the memory of Saint Joseph, because he fed him whom the faithful must eat as the bread of eternal life.” (St. John Paul II)
St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us!

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Publicity Coordinator at kvanuden@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of The Silent Knight or to schedule an interview with the author, Elizabeth Lev.