As someone who is wading very slowly towards a DPhil in the history of art and architecture, I get to spend rather a lot of time thinking about great art and beautiful things. Spending so much time with the art of the past leads inevitably to reflecting on the art of the present. Sometimes – yes, even today – we are lucky enough to encounter a new work of art which is truly exceptional: something skilful, beautiful, articulate and important. For those who value the spectacle of skill in art, who believe in the importance of beauty – indeed, in the theology of beauty – I implore you to visit the Jesuit Farm Street Church in Mayfair, London. Artist-in-residence Andrew White has installed his new oil painting, Mother Mary, in the church over the summer. Working from his Lincolnshire studio, White is perhaps our leading exponent of the historical tradition of sacred painting. In my opinion this is the best new work of sacred art produced by an English artist for some time. The painting depicts Mary a few months after the Annunciation. The Marian subject was chosen by the Jesuits as patrons, but the artist has chosen the timing. Mary sits alone and contemplates with awe God’s blessing upon her. This is a painting based on a specific scriptural reference, Luke 1:46-55. Mary’s soul magnifies the Lord and His mercy is on those who fear Him. White is a deeply committed and thoughtful Christian artist, and it shows. For White, the painting captures the raw simplicity of God’s spoken reality when he addresses His children. One of the most important aspects of this work is Mary’s age. She is young and innocent, depicted with the natural beauty of youth. How the young believe is refreshing and fragile, and a huge challenge to put down in paint. White’s own daughter is the same age as Mary would have been at the time of the Annunciation.