Official Portrait of Pope John Paul II by Igor Babailov

"BELIEVE"

Portrait of Pope John Paul II

Oil on Canvas

Collection, Vatican Museum

All images on this website are the intellectual property of Igor V. Babailov and may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's written permission

"BELIEVE", the portrait of Pope John Paul II was officially commissioned in commemoration of the World Youth Days and the 25th Anniversary of The Pontificate of Pope John Paul II. Creative research included references from the Vatican archives. Mr. Babailov was granted a private audience with the Pope and received His Holiness's Blessing.

About "BELIEVE"

This painting is more than a portrait in its 'traditional' sense. It is about the eternal

values of humanity.

In "BELIEVE" the Artist identifies a number of those values, which are portrayed

symbolically in the images of the Youth surrounding Pope John Paul II, known as

"The Peoples' Pope", who also established the famous World Youth Day

celebration.Some of those values are FAITH, LOVE, MERCY, and STRENGTH

through Suffering.

The young people on the painting represent our future. According to Pope John Paul II, the Youth are ' The Salt of the Earth.' Regardless of our geographical and religious backgrounds, we are all 'Children of God.' As a family, we must be together in our souls and values.

"...My ultimate goal and aim as an artist was to portray Pope John Paul II the way he would be remembered: energetic, much loved, 'down to earth' and close to people." - Igor V. Babailov.

Signed by the artist, high digital quality prints of "Believe" are available.

Contact Studio Babailov via e-mail at Info@Babailov.com