On a rare visit during Covid to the home of friends with young children, I saw on the kitchen wall a striking photograph of a young mother expecting her second child. The photograph was a technical tour de force, as the “model” was simultaneously director and crew.

A talented, professional makeup artist, she designed and did the makeup, designed and did the hair, determined the pose, conceptualized and set the lighting, and created the set as well. She was also simultaneously “model” and photographer for dozens of takes – camera set on its tripod; camera with its timer set. For each take: the photographer re-checks field of vision, focal length, f-stop, etc.; the model then runs back to the set – hair and blanket flying – yet able to settle into a pose of calm, grace, and elegance before the timer snaps the picture.

That photograph, and its model, crew, photographer – inspired and guided this oil portrait of a young woman of many talents, carrying her child in beautiful, intelligent serenity.

The title of the painting reflects the Talmudic (Jewish) belief that one who saves a single life saves the entire world.