The Prophet Painted

A Visual Journey Through Khalil Gibran's Timeless Wisdom

by Jessica Geist

About This Project

In 2019, Khalil Gibran's masterpiece The Prophet entered the public domain, opening new possibilities for artistic interpretation. Jessica Geist has embarked on an ambitious creative journey, producing an original painting to embody each chapter of this beloved work.

The Prophet, first published in 1923, contains twenty-six poetic essays that explore fundamental aspects of human experience—from love and marriage to work and death, from joy and sorrow to freedom and self-knowledge. Through her paintings, Jessica translates Gibran's profound philosophical insights into visual poetry, creating a unique dialogue between word and image.

"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding."
— Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

Each painting serves as both a standalone work of art and part of a greater whole—much like the chapters themselves. This collection is intended for eventual publication, bringing together Gibran's timeless words with Jessica's contemporary artistic vision to create something entirely new yet deeply rooted in the original's spiritual essence.