Course: Two Marys
Bonus Material
Web Gallery of Art [Link] – Because this course contains multiple references to art work, this is an excellent resource to find artwork.
"TWO MARYS" – course description
TWO MARYS: MARY MAGDALEN AND THE VIRGIN MARY THROUGH HISTORY
These two Mary's, out of those named in the New Testament, are very important because of the development of their cults and the veneration of their relics in the later church. Mary Magdalen was very important to the Gnostic churches early in Christian history and later, in the medieval church where many legends of her sojourn in France are still prevalent. The Virgin Mary after the 5th century, became important in art and cult. and today she is by far the prominent Mary. This course will Discuss both Marys, their cults and appearances through history.
MAGDALENA MOUNTAINS (Socorro; S of the village of Magdalena). These take their name from Magdalena Peak, 8,152 ft., on the W side of the range; on the E slope of this mountain are rocks and shrubbery supposedly resembling the profile of Mary Magdalene; the face is said to have become less distinct when the drought of 1950-52 killed many of the shrubs outlining the face. A popular but apocryphal legend is that a group of Mexicans were besieged by Apaches on the mountain, when the face of Mary Magdalene miraculously appeared, frighting the Indians away, while an- other tradition says an early Spanish priest named the mountains in her honor. And equally apocryphal legends says no murder can be committed in the presence of Mary Magdalene's countenance. See also Magdalena Peak
col. plt 1: Joseph is chosen as the virgin's husband and guardian, and the defeated suiters break their staffs, which failed to flower. In the miniatures, St. Joachim prays for a child, embraces St. Anne at the Golden Gate, who gives birth to the Virgin, dedicates her to the temple, where she leads and exemplary life of prayer and weaves the purple veil of the sanctuary.
Master of the Duke of Bedford, book of hours, 15th cent.
As in St. Bridget of Sweden's visions, the virgin Mary loses her blond hair, and on her knees gives birth to Jesus, whose radiance eclipses the taper St. Joseph holds in his hands; the midwife Salome (right) who doubted Mary's virginity, extends the hand that withered when she blasphemously examined her.
Robert Campin (d. 1444, The Nativity
The cycle of redemption: the first Eve is thrown out of Eden and closes paradise to mankind, but the Virgin Mary, the second Eve, accepts the words of the angel and conceives the redeemer who will restore humanity to the grace of God and reopen the gates of heaven.
Giovanni di Paolo, the Annunciation, detail, c. 1445
The three kings symbolize earthly power, and their homage to the humble baby in his ruined stall signifies the capitulation of worldly monarchs to the ruler of all.
Sandro Botticelli (d. 1482), Adoration of the Magi
At the Virgin's Dormition, or death, St. John lays his head on her breast, St. Peter mourns at her feet, and Christ holds up her childlike soul.
La Martorana, Palermo, 1143
The lover in the Song of Songs, Christ embraces his mother, enthroned by his side as his queen and his bride in a 12th century mosaic in S. Maria in Trastevere, Rome.
The supreme image of transfiguration after death: Titians "Assumption of the Virgin", in which the apostles on earth reach out in awe and ecstasy towards the barefoot Madonna, who rises, borne upwards by angels and cherubim, into the golden corona of heaven where God awaits her. S. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari,
Venice, 1518
The Immaculate Conception of Mary: a ray from heaven illuminates in St. Anne's womb the child she conceived w/o the stain of original sin.
Hours of the Virgin, Bruges?, 1515, by the master of the Grimani
Breviary
"Before the beginning" in the mind of the Creator, the ideal of womanhood floats on the moon with the 12 stars of the Apocalypse around her head.
Diego Valasquez, "the Immaculate Conception. 17th cent.
Giovanni Bellini's "Pieta", the Virgin laments over the dead body of her son but the image of sorrow holds the promise of joy and resurrection: The winter landscape blossoms with the first flowers of spring.
Accademia, Venice, 16th cent.
Piero della Francesca, "Madonna della Misericordia;" The virgin Mary, an independent and monumental MAGNA MATER, spreads her cloak to shelter lay men and women who have sought her protection.