Mary

I've read the "Saints" version of this book and used it as a kind of meditative text -- I'd read one or two saints per day. To some degree, I've been doing that with this book ... However, unlike with the "Saints" version, I've been saying a lot of, like, "Wha? I don't think ... that's weird." And I would not say that this little book has solidified my faith for me. Quite the opposite, in fact. So, I'm going to put it aside for awhile. Maybe I'll pick it back up next Advent.

Beginning with biblical and apocryphal traditions concerning Mary's place among the Bible's other great women (Eve in particular), art historians Martina Degl'Innocenti and Stella Marinone illustrate Mary's life with paintings from the early Christian period in Rome to the 20th century, including some unusual contemporary works from China, Russia, and America.
Mary's unique position among saints is examined here as episodes from her life are portrayed through centuries of artistic movements in the West, as well as representations from the East. Packed with over 350 works of art in full color, along with some full-spread enlargements to show iconographic detail, this book is a perfect gift for anyone interested in the life and imagery of show more the Virgin Mary. show less