Madonna (art)
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Madonna is a medieval Italian term for a noble or otherwise important woman. In Western Christian art tradition this word is used for the works depicting the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The word has also been adopted by the English and other European languages.
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Introduction
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The depiction of Madonna has a deep and ancient tradition derived from the old Christian (mainly Orthodox) Iconography and Byzantine art. The prevailing idea of these images is a so called Eleousa (Greek έλεος - "pity, regret,compassion") - the Loving Kindness - the idea of endless and unbounded love of the Virgin to Her Son and humanity. It also expresses the grief and compassion. Iconography itself has strict and severe rules and canons regulating the scenes, images and appearance of the characters depicted.
After the end of the Middle Ages a new comprehension of the Holy images has arised. The emotional and expressive manner of drawing has given the birth to the great number of masterpieces. The tradition of painting of Madonna has got a brand new impulse in Renaissance.
Renaissance
The Renaissance has given birth to the new traditions of painting in Western European Art. In aggregate, Renaissance itself proclaimed the return to the traditions of painting and sculpture of antique Greece. This was mainly a secular, often non-canonical art though usually addressing religious subjects. The Renaissance artists allowed themselves to be more emotional and humanistic, even more utilitarian, thereby creating bright masterpieces close to the hearts of their contemporaries. The art of this period is characterized with more anatomically correct proportions, sincere human emotions, color and light.
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The great number of painters of the Renaissance paid attention to the Biblical subjects in general, including Madonna, the Holy Family and the Passion of the Christ. Such titans as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael were among them. A lot of painters have been invited to Vatican by Popes to ornate Catholic cathedrals with religious frescos and paints.
Though the Renaissance painters covered almost all the life of the Virgin, there were some subjects especially favorite among them. They were The Virgin and the Child and Pietà. Traditionally, Madonna is depicted expressing compassion, kind and love. The tenderness and caress of the ordinary mother to her beloved child, the epiphany of the young Christ, the antiquated, light, colorful surroundings make the spectator sympathize with the characters. The despair of the mother that holds the body of her crucified son, mourning his fate and nevertheless the light of hope in her eyes are inspirational, live and impressive.
Modern Art
External links
- Virgin Mary at Olga's Gallery (http://www.abcgallery.com/virgin.html)