MATTHEW 25 · OIL ON CANVAS
The Torchbearers
Bringing to light what was once lost, and since been remembered
Fine art prints and canvases by Emma Earle.
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Award Winner
Best of Show — 40th Annual Spiritual and Religious Show
Springville Museum of Art · 2026
The Torchbearers was awarded Best of Show, the exhibition's highest honor, at the 40th Annual Spiritual and Religious Show held at the Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah. Selected from works juried into the show's landmark 40th year, the award places Emma's five-by-ten-foot canvas at the top of this nationally recognized exhibition of religious art.
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The Story
Waiting for the light
Most Christians have a clearly defined image of the Parable of the Ten Virgins in their heads. For centuries, depictions of this story show ten young women holding oil lamps. But what if we have been envisioning this wrong for centuries?
In recent years, historians and biblical scholars uncovered that the English word "lamp" in the Matthew 25 is a translational error. The textual and historical evidence indicates that the bridesmaids actually carried blazing torches, not the small terracotta oil lamps we picture today.
This painting attempts to visualize this parable in its intended context and restore what truths may have been lost in translation.
What's Coming
Print options
Rolled canvas (recommended)
Printed on archival canvas and shipped rolled in a protective tube, ready to be stretched and framed.
Fine art print
Printed with archival inks on smooth Hot Press paper.
The Original Painting
Own the original
The original 5 × 10 ft oil painting is available for acquisition from the artist. If you are interested in purchasing it, leave your details below and Emma will reach out to you personally.
Founding Edition
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Founding Edition pricing — 10% off every print + free shipping.