Anchor of the Soul, Hebrews 6:19 Linocut Wall Art

What is painted

An old iron anchor stands upright in the middle of a rough sea, its crossbar and ring drawn in thick black strokes, a heavy rope coiling around the shank from top to bottom. Behind it, a half sun sinks or rises at the horizon, sending out ochre rays. In front, curling waves break in layers of black, cream and mustard gold, with spray flicking off their crests. Streaks of dark cloud cross the upper sky.

It is made in the style of a carved linocut: flat areas of ink, visible gouge marks, only two colors on warm cream paper. The verse runs underneath in bold condensed capitals, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast”, with HEBREWS 6:19 set small beneath.

Hope that holds

The Letter to the Hebrews was written to Christians under pressure who were tempted to drift away. Chapter 6 reminds them of Abraham, who waited patiently and received what God had promised. God, the writer says, confirmed that promise with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, his word and his oath, those who have fled to him for refuge might have strong encouragement.

Then comes the image. Hope is an anchor, and not a vague optimism: it is “sure and stedfast”, the old spelling of steadfast in the King James Version. The sentence goes on to say that this hope enters “into that within the veil”, the inner sanctuary of the Temple, where Jesus has gone ahead as a forerunner. The anchor is thrown not down into the seabed but upward, into the presence of God.

Early Christians loved this symbol. Anchors appear carved on tombs and inscriptions in the catacombs of Rome, often with a crossbar that quietly recalls the cross.

For a man's study, an office or a church hall

The black and gold palette and the woodcut graphics give this print a sturdy, masculine feel that suits a study, a home office, a garage workshop or a lake house. It reads clearly from across the room, which also makes it a good fit for a pastor's office or a church youth room.

People often give it as a confirmation gift, for Father's Day, to a son leaving home, or to a friend going through a storm who needs something solid on the wall. As Christian wall art it pairs well with other linocut pieces, and this Christian poster is printed to order in the US on heavy archival matte paper, from 5x7 to 24x36, and ships unframed.