Modern Prayer

Modern Prayer (2017) marks the beginning of Sean Rush’s Prayer Series-a contemplative exploration of the space between prayer and meditation. Executed in oil on raw Belgian linen and measuring approximately 48″x36″, the painting uses the unprimed linen as a natural mid-tone that anchors the composition’s tonal structure.

Rush’s technique balances realism with restraint: the figure’s bowed head and gently clasped hands are rendered in warm umber and pale neutral tones, combining anatomical precision with expressive economy. Surrounding areas dissolve into subtle gestures, emphasizing inward focus over external detail.

Rather than depicting a literal ritual, Modern Prayer evokes the emotional state of quiet reflection. The visible grain of the linen and immediacy of the brushwork foster a sense of sacred stillness grounded in physical presence. This tactile minimalism transforms the ordinary into the transcendent.

As the foundational painting of the Prayer Series, Modern Prayer establishes Rush’s intent to explore spiritual posture, emotional resonance, and the liminal space between devotion and inner silence-themes that continue to evolve throughout the series.