Painting History

Reni Stephan’s Artwork on Display at CCF West

By Adhid Miri, Ph.D.

“Art and architecture have long inspired one another, each shaping imagination, innovation, and cultural memory.”

Visitors to the new Chaldean Community Foundation building in West Bloomfield, CCF West, are greeted by a vibrant collection of artworks celebrating faith, culture, and history. The walls feature depictions of the Freedom Monument, King Nebuchadnezzar II, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Martyrs Wall, the Tree of Life, the Ishtar and Sennacherib Gates, and more. Many of these works were commissioned by the CCF and brought to life by artist Reni Stephan.

These artworks not only honor the rich history of the Mesopotamian and Chaldean people but also provide visitors with a tangible connection to their cultural heritage. By showcasing historical artwork in a public space, the community gains a shared sense of identity and pride, educational opportunities for all ages, and inspiration for creativity and civic engagement.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

One of history’s most enduring legends is that of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon—often considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ancient texts describe tiered terraces filled with trees and plants, forming the illusion of a green mountain rising from the desert. If they existed, such gardens would have required advanced irrigation to survive Babylon’s arid climate.

King Nebuchadnezzar II ruled Babylon from 605 to 562 BCE and is often regarded as one of the greatest kings of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His reign marked the peak of Babylon’s power, and his name is still associated with grandeur and achievement, particularly monumental building projects.

Nebuchadnezzar’s reign was marked by impressive military campaigns that extended Babylonian control over much of the Near East. In circa 605 B.C.E., Princess Amytis travelled from Ecbatana to Babylon and married King Nebuchadnezzar II. Amytis then became Queen of Babylon. She was the daughter of Cyaxares, the Median king, and her marriage to Nebuchadnezzar II solidified an alliance between the Babylonian and Median empires.

According to tradition, Queen Amytis is believed to have inspired the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar II loved her greatly, and she became his favorite wife. According to a famous story, Queen Amytis missed her homeland and was said to have been homesick for the mountainous, green landscapes of her homeland in Media, leading Nebuchadnezzar to create magnificent gardens to resemble her native environment in Persia. The gardens were said to have been built to replicate the forests and hills of Media, providing Amytis with a reminder of her home while living in the flat, arid region of Mesopotamia.

Amytis’ legacy is largely tied to the legends surrounding her and the Hanging Gardens. She is remembered as a queen who brought a sense of beauty and nature to the grand city of Babylon, even if the story is more myth than fact. Her marriage to Nebuchadnezzar remains historically significant, as it played a crucial role in uniting two powerful dynasties. Through this union, Amytis helped shape the political landscape of the ancient Near East, contributing to the rise of Babylon as a dominant empire during her husband’s reign.

The painting taking up a wall in the lobby at CCF West entrance depicts a panorama of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon – in its time the largest city in the world – which lies around 60 miles southwest of Baghdad, near the city of Hillah, in present-day Iraq.

Ishtar Gate

The Great Gate of Ishtar, the eighth gate of Babylon, has inspired awe since the 6th century BCE. Built around 575 BCE during Nebuchadnezzar II’s reign and dedicated to the goddess Ishtar, the gate was part of a larger project to beautify the empire’s capital. Constructed with glazed bricks in vivid cobalt blue and adorned with reliefs of dragons and bulls representing gods Marduk and Adad, the gate offered a stunning welcome to all who entered the city.

Excavated by German archaeologists in 1902, the Ishtar Gate and its Processional Way—paved with red and yellow bricks and lined with over 120 reliefs of lions, bulls, dragons, and flowers—reveal the grandeur of ancient Babylon. The gate’s majesty symbolized the city’s wealth and cultural significance.

An inscription attributed to Nebuchadnezzar read: “I placed wild bulls and ferocious dragons in the gateways and thus adorned them with luxurious splendor so that people might gaze on them in wonder.”

Sections of the gate were later reconstructed and displayed in Berlin’s Pergamon Museum, and although only part of the original structure could be reassembled due to its immense size, it revived Babylon’s magnificence for the modern world.

Chamomile, considered sacred in Babylon, was often incorporated into decorative motifs, symbolizing serenity, victory, and divine blessing. Across cultures—from Egypt to Europe—chamomile has been revered for its healing and spiritual properties, demonstrating the lasting impact of Babylonian symbolism on global culture. The flowers on the gate reflect that symbolism.

A small replica of the Ishtar Gate adorns the hallway outside the theater and across the way from the CACC/CCF Timeline.

Babylonian Palm Tree

Outside the Chaldean Museum (still under construction), a mosaic incorporates the iconic date palm tree. Cultivated in Mesopotamia as far back as 3100 BCE, the date palm provided food, shade, and materials for tools and construction. In art, the palm often represented the “Tree of Life,” linking the earthly and divine, and symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and divine blessing. Its significance spans cultures, from ancient Rome to modern Saudi Arabia, and continues to resonate in Christian traditions like Palm Sunday.

A Pair of Icons

Two exquisite icons painted by Stephan and displayed flanking the entrance to the Mar Ibrahim Library at CCF West honor two of the most influential figures in Syriac Christianity: Saint Ephrem the Syrian and Saint Isaac the Syrian. These works of art not only celebrate their enduring legacies but also reflect the depth of the Chaldean community’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The icon of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, also known as Mar Ephrem, depicts one of the early Church’s most revered hymnographers and theologians. A 4th-century Syriac-speaking deacon, Saint Ephrem is remembered for his vast collection of hymns, poems, and sermons—literary treasures that shaped early Christian theology and worship.

Recognized across Orthodox, Catholic, and Coptic traditions, he is celebrated as one of the “Doctors of the Church.” The icon’s intricate detailing and luminous tones invite reflection on his life of devotion, intellect, and service, embodying his role as both a spiritual teacher and poet of faith.

On the other side of the entrance, the icon of Saint Isaac the Syrian (Mar Ishak d-Ninwe) portrays the 7th-century bishop and mystic whose writings continue to inspire Christian contemplative life. Born in what is now Qatar and later serving briefly as Bishop of Nineveh, Saint Isaac renounced worldly authority to live as a hermit devoted to prayer and asceticism.

Each element of the icon carries profound meaning: the open book symbolizes his spiritual writings, renowned for their depth and compassion; the dove signifies divine inspiration through the Holy Spirit; and the church in the background reflects both his episcopal service and his lasting influence on the Church’s inner life. The Syriac inscription above him, “,” translates to “Saint Isaac of Nineveh,” affirming his enduring place in the sacred tradition of Mesopotamian Christianity.

Together, these art pieces at CCF West bridge faith, art, and history. They invite visitors to engage with the visual language of spirituality while honoring the Chaldean community’s deep connection to its Syriac Christian roots—a reminder that sacred art not only preserves memory but also inspires future generations in faith and learning.

Displaying these historical artworks in a community setting offers more than aesthetic enjoyment—it strengthens cultural awareness, fosters intergenerational learning, and encourages civic pride. Visitors not only see the beauty of Mesopotamian art but also gain insight into the values, stories, and innovations that shaped civilizations.

In Part II, we will explore additional iconic artworks displayed at the Chaldean Community Foundation West building.