Retrospective: A Panorama of Art by
Libby Bailey in Collections
Oil Paintings, Pastels, Mosaic, Etchings, Woodblock Prints
The 1970s-1980s
The Shelling of St. Ambrose's Apse
Oil on canvas, 48x60 inches
Irene Champion, Columbus GA
When I went to work at Wesleyan College, I was invited to have an exhibit at Mercer University. The above photograph of me with The Shelling of Sant' Ambrogio's Apse was on the announcement. The painting was my first professional sale. In 2024 Irene Champion turned 100 years old. She still displays the painting in her house. My interest in early theologians began in college. Here the saint is inspired by a muse, while putti fly upward. Chinese horsemen, personifying strength and determination, ride through floating shells, symbolizing his words. Architectural forms represent structure. The three lamps signify the Trinity.
Pius is Bullish on Augustine
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
Private Collection​
Pius is Bullish on Augustine depicts a bronze statue of Pope Pius XII with the Renaissance figures of the early theologian St. Augustine, Augustinians and a priest in the lower church of San Francesco in Assisi. Two little hairy devils argue in front of Pius.
The Itinerate Preacher
Illustration for an article in The Georgia Review,
edited by Earl Bargainnier
Oil on paper, 18x12 inches​
The 19th century American evangelist, with his arms raised on the left, conjures up a vision of God, Jesus, and the Last Judgement with the picturesque rhetoric of his sermon.
The Contessa's Bavarian Scandals
Oil on canvas, 60x78 inches
Private collection
The Contessa's Bavarian Scandals features a Rococo carriage of Ludwig II of Bavaria with a little girl, statue of Venus, and putti.
Mellow Marble Madness
Oil on canvas, 36x36 inches
Private Collection
Mellow Marble Madness depicts a bejeweled statue of the Child Jesus and a bronze sculpture of St. Augustine within a colorful marbled Roman church. In the margins are scenes from the Life of Christ and saints.
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The Vision of St. Peter Martyr
Oil on paper, 48x36 inches
Private Collection
St. Peter Martyr was a 13th century Dominican saint who was killed by a cleaver in his skull. The Virgin Mary ascends while a sculpture of The Dream of Joseph floats in a frescoed and marbled Baroque Roman church. Below is a reliquary with a kneeling pope.
The Lost Aria of a Misbegotten Saint
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
Buck Bailey, Maryville TN
The Lost Aria of a Misbegotten Saint represents an opera singer with saints in the frescoed Palazzo Pubblico of Siena.
"And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little"
Oil on Canvas, 42x72 inches
Collection of the Artist
​
And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little is a play by Paul Zendel, produced at Wesleyan. The main character was played by theatre major Page Clements while the second figure is modelled by Catharine Liles, an artist and graduate of Wesleyan.
An Augustinian Odyssey
With Joel Plum as an Augustinian Friar Pastel on Paper, 72x48 in.
​
An Augustinian Odyssey depicts a floating St. Augustine directing other saints, including Joan of Arc. Joel Plum was Wesleyan's beloved ceramicist who dressed as a friar on Halloween. Joel was a great friend and mentor to me. The church is in Cortona, Italy, and the corpse is the uncorrupted body of Santa Margherita of Cortona. My participation in the Cortona program had a profound influence on my development as an artist and my decision to pursue a career as an art historian.
St. Augustine Reading
Fresco on Wood, 48x96 inches​​
ISt. Augustine Reading is a fresco that I created as part of my coursework for my Ph. D. The sheep, deer and alligator stand for natural virtues. The main character is modelled by Joseph Berrigan, who introduced me to the theology and writings of St. Augustine of Hippo.
Neptune on the Universe
Watercolor on Paper, 60x48 inches
Neptune on the Universe celebrates the antique gods and astrological signs in a Baroque setting. The ancient dieities and concepts are symbols of universal ideas.
Borthwick Castle
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
Collection of the Artist
Brthwias
Borthwick Castle captures the Bailey family's trip to Scotland. My father tips his cap to my mother, seated on a stone block, taking in the refreshing atmosphere. My brother George and I, both quite young, stand on the arched bridge with a Scotsman. The plants, including heather and a thistle, are typical of Scotland.
Desire in Madrid 1st Version
Oil on canvas, 84x54 inches
​
Desire in Madrid 2nd version
Oil on canvas, 84x54 inches
Wesleyan College, Macon, GA
Meditations in the Mosque
Pastel on paper, 78x48 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA
Santa Cecelia
Porcelain tile on wood, 72x54 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA
The Duchess and the Infanta beneath the Trinity
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
Wesleyan College, Macon GA
In Reverie
Oil on canvas, 80x54 inches
Mae and David Lifsey, Atlanta GA
The Peacock Throne
Oil on Canvas, 70x54 inches
George Criswell,
Stone Mountain GA
The Glorification of the Keys
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
The Lady and the Goddess in a Blue Tiled Courtyard
Oil on canvas, 48x72 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA
Contemplation and Resolution
Oil on canvas, 54x54 inches
Wesleyan College, Macon GA
Pre-Columbian Welcome Committee
Oil on canvas, 48x68 inches
Wesleyan College, Macon GA
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In the Basilica of Sant' Antonio, Padua
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
Georgia Museum of Art, Athens GA
Mexican Gods on the Beach
Oil on canvas, 36x50 inches
Wesleyan College, Macon GA
Cerises sur le Gateau
Oil on canvas, 20x28 inches
Jean Flannery, Atlanta GA
Retrospective: A Panorama of Art by
Libby Bailey in Collections
Oil Paintings, Pastels, Mosaic, Etchings, Woodblock Prints
The Dream of the Golden Bishop
Oil on canvas, 48x60 inches
Alex Tucker, Maryville TN
Tosca Ascending
Pastel on paper, 60x44 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA
Papageno Presiding over Renaissance Idylls
Oil on canvas, 38x48 inches
Eleanor and Pat Boyd,
Alexandria VA
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Violetta's Sacrifice
Oil on canvas, 60x48 inches
Mae and David Lifsey, Atlanta GA
Calligraphic Conundrum
Oil on canvas, 48x60 inches
Wesleyan College, Macon GA
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Louise Barfield: Concert in the Palace
Oil on canvas, 72x54 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA
The Triumph of Physics
Oil on canvas, 72x48 inches
Jean Flannery, Atlanta GA
"I Am What I Am"
Oil on canvas, 84x54 inches
Theatre Macon, Macon GA
The Arrival of the Ambassador
Oil on canvas, 60x48 inches
(with the artist)
Eleanor and Pat Boyd,
Alexandria VA
Rhine Maidens, Sea Gods and Earthly Virtues
Oil on Canvas, 52x72 inches
Eleanor and Pat Boyd,
Alexandria VA
Bibliophile
Oil on Canvas, 60x48 inches
Jean Flannery, Atlanta GA
Entrée Royale
Oil on Canvas, 48x72 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA
The Presentation of the Reliquary
Oil on Canvas, 60x48 inches
Louise Barfield,
Little Carnegie of the South, Macon GA