REPRESENTATIONS OF MARY

Year 9 RE

ART & MARY

The creative arts contribute to the formation, transmission, integration and reflection of societal values/beliefs and are therefore not ideologically neutral.

Art can and continues to shape our perceptions of religious figures.

Art work is shaped by the immediate context in which it is read; the historical situation of its composition and the biblical beliefs/interpretation of the composer.

THE ANNUNCIATION

The Gospel of Luke (80-90ce) – the infancy narrative narrates the events and circumstances for a non-Palestinian audience.

The Gospel of Matthew (80-90ce) – Jesus’ conception is narrated for a predominately Jewish Christian audience. His work contains some material from Mark & the Q source. It is believed the book sets out to explain Mary’s significant role in God’s plan and that the marriage to Joseph was irregular or extraordinary.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOSPELS

Both Gospels highlight that Mary, a virgin, was pregnant prior to sexual relations with Joseph, the conception occurring via the Holy Spirit, fulfilling God’s plan the child to be named Jesus (Yahweh saves) and Emmanuel (God is with us)

HOW DO THESE GOSPELS DIFFER WHEN IT COMES TO THE ANNUNCIATION?

LUKE MATTHEW

Details Mary’s conversation, reaction and acquiescent to God’s plan with no mention of Joseph.

We learn about Mary’s confusion, questioning, fear submission and agreement calling herself God’s “servant” which literally means “slave” in Greek.

Provides Joseph’s reaction dream and acceptance of the pregnancy.

We learn that Joseph is a righteous man and has the power to divorce Mary and seek justice under the law. The engagement required Mary to be faithful. His decision would mean social humiliation and even death.

REPRESENTATIONS

In the Lukan text Mary is empowered

She is the model believer.

Read Scripture Luke 1: 30-38

In Matthew, Mary is disempowered because her fate rests with Joseph, the compassionate protector.

Read Matthew 1: 18-25

A COMPARISON Luke 1:30-38

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the

Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

THE ANNUNCIATION WITH ST EMIDIUS 1486 BY CARLO CRIVELLI

THE ANNUNCIATION WITH ST EMIDIUS 1486

Ornate building, marble, stone

Holy Spirit

Angel Gabriel & St EmidiusGabriel holds

a lily = innocence and God’s favour

Exotic items, carpets, peacock

, fruit, embroidered

materials

Mary is kneeling, head down, halo, eyes cast down , dressed in Green =hope Red = The

Holy Spirit, the open book

represents her willingness to

become pregnant

MARY & ART

What are viewers invited to believe about Mary? What words come to mind? Does this representation of Mary agree with your understanding of Mary from scripture? Why is there a saint in the painting? What additional information is required to understand this painting? Explain

THE ANGEL & THE ANNUNCIATION BY SIMONE MARTINI 1333

THE ANGEL & THE ANNUNCIATION BY SIMONE MARTINI 1333

DETAILS OF THE ANGEL

CLOSE UP OF MARY

Angel holds olive branch

= peace. Between the two figures is

a vase of lilies = Mary’s virtue.

Mary & Angel have halos but one has rays,

the other radiance

Mary holds a book =

fertilization, blue is the

colour associated with Mary,

her expression is one of fear

and mistrust

The Holy Spirit with

several wings

REFLECT ON ALL OF THE ITEMS IN THE PICTURE.

What are readers/viewers invited to believe about Mary and he Annunciation?

Before you answer, think for a moment what men would have expected of a noble woman in that day and age. Is Mary’s reaction inappropriate?

Listen to Luke 1: 29-30

LUKE 1: 28-30

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

If you solely relied on the artwork for the story would it be enough to understand Mary and the Annunciation? Why?

How should Catholics interpret and understand artwork that contains depictions of religious events/persons?

ANNUNCIATION BY HENRY TANNER

THE ANNUNCIATION BY JOHN COLLIER

MORE IMAGES OF MARY

MODERN IMAGES OF MARY