Mary: Images of the Holy Mother [Hardcover]

Jacqueline Orsini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Although she is mentioned only a few times in the Bible, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the most holy and revered woman in the Christian world. Through the ages she has inspired millions through her quietly majestic visage, and is second only to Jesus as a revered subject for artists over the centuries. Mary: Images of the Holy Mother is a visual celebration of Mary that takes an international and comprehensively historic view of this exalted religious figure. From the earliest known depiction in a fourth-century Roman catacomb to modern murals and colorful tattoos, folk and popular images of Mary abound between the pages of this vibrant collection. Also lending their own renowned versions of Mary are such great artists as Henry Moore, Paul Gauguin, Francisco de Zurbaran, Rufino Tamayo, Edward Munch, and Fra Filippo Lippi. A breathtaking visual feast, Mary invites people of all faiths to contemplate her endless manifestations.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Mary: Images of the Holy Mother is Jacqueline Orsini's beautiful, succinct, pictorial survey of art history's many incarnations of the Virgin Mother, from a fresco in the Roman catacombs to a modern mural in San Francisco. The book is organized chronologically, collecting reproductions of Mary's constantly transforming image in Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Counter Reformation, and various 20th century movements. Artists represented in the book include Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Chagall, and Gauguin. At every stage in this evolution, Orsini's compilation of images is guided by her conviction that "Mary transcends the media, the temporal and regional restrictions, and human limitations that govern her image in any one era. The meaning of the icon outweighs the individual artist or epoch." Therefore, this book becomes an occasion for inspiration; turning its pages provides an experience of communion. Orsini writes, "As we look at Mary, she looks back at us through the eyes of art." --Paul Power

About the Author

Jacqueline Orsini has written extensively on Our Lady of Guadalupe and Tibetan religion. She holds degrees in art history and world religions, and is the author of two previous books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811828506
• ISBN-13: 978-0811828505
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,017,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mary Art, October 11, 2004

By 

J. Dalton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mary: Images of the Holy Mother (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book with a very broad range of madonna-art in it. There is a great deal of variety in the countries and movements represented. Not a great deal of narrative, sometimes you have to do outside research to find out more details but in terms of quality and variety, this one is a very good deal for the price.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chronicle., February 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mary: Images of the Holy Mother (Hardcover)

As usual, Chronicle Books presents a lavish book. This is simply a physically beautiful work. I would not be surprised in the least if giving this book becomes a First Communion or Confirmation gift tradition.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Images of the Holy Mother, July 6, 2008

By 

Kelly (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary: Images of the Holy Mother (Hardcover)

What a great book! I've owned it for several years and I still browse through it for the beautiful art. Includes everything from the first images of the Virgin Mary in a Roman catacomb to Salvador Dali. If you're looking for information on the Blessed Mother, this isn't the book for you but if you want to see all kinds of depictions of the Virgin, this is a great resource. I loved it!