Mary, mother of Jesus

By far the most common teen parent subject of artworks is Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is also known as the Blessed Mary, Virgin Mary and the Madonna.

While the Bible does not explicitly state the age of Mary, it is prophesied in Isaiah and recorded in the gospels that Mary was a young virgin betrothed to Joseph (“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18).

Biblical scholars generally agree that given the customs of the time, it is highly likely that Mary would have been a teenager when she gave birth to Jesus. Around the first century, Jewish girls were considered marriageable from the age of 12 years and 6 months, although during the betrothal period the bride continued living with her family.

According to the Bible, Mary was chosen by God to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Falling pregnant before marriage would have put Mary in a very delicate position. She would have been at the mercy of her fiancé Joseph, who could have abandoned her, publicly shamed her, or even handed her over to the authorities for stoning. Instead, the story tells us that Joseph trusted God and Mary. He offered protection and support. During the late stages of Mary’s pregnancy, a national census was called and they were forced to travel far from home. Mary went into labour, and due to the lack of available accommodation in Bethlehem, she gave birth to Jesus in a stable. Jesus is the central figure of the Christian faith, and it is believed that his death and resurrection offers salvation to humanity.

It’s not only Christians who venerate Mary. Muslims also consider the Virgin Mary to be exceptionally pious and the most blessed and prominent of women in the Qur’an. Indeed, Mary is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an. (When the angels said, “O Mary, truly God gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, high honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought nigh. He will speak to people in the cradle and in maturity, and will be among the righteous.” She said, “My Lord, how shall I have a child while no human being has touched me?” He said, “Thus does God create whatsoever He will.” When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, “Be!” and it is. And He will teach him the Book, Wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel. And (he will be) a messenger to the Children of Israel. Sura 3:45-49a, The Study Quran).

The Virgin Mary has achieved great cultural importance around the world and has been the subject of countless artworks, sculptures, statues and frescos since the beginning of the Common Era. As evidenced in the images below, she has been portrayed in many different forms and her portraits can be found worldwide. The famous Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris is even dedicated to Mary!

Artwork: Madonna and Child. Artist: Domenico Veneziano. Date: circa 1445-50. Collection: National Gallery of Art, Washington. Photo credit: National Gallery of Art, Washington. Link below [2].

Whatever your religion may be and whatever you believe about her, it is undeniable that Mary has indelibly left her mark on the art world!

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_mother_of_Jesus

NIV Bible

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-mother-of-Jesus

https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/cathedral/artifacts/portals/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Madonna_structured_gallery

https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/q/quran-marys-place.php#:~:text=Both%20the%20Qur'an%20and,were%20it%20not%20for%20Mary.

https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/54/17/default.htm

Photo credit:

[cover image] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nuestra_Se%C3%B1ora_de_la_Aurora_7.jpg

[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mabuse_(atribui%C3%A7%C3%A3o)_-_Madona_com_Menino_e_cerejas.jpg

[2] https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.362.html

[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lucca_Madonna_by_Jan_Van_Eyck_-_St%C3%A4del_-_Frankfurt_am_Main_-_Germany_2017.jpg

[4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackmadonna.jpeg

[5] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27The_Madonna_and_Child_with_a_Female_Saint_and_the_Infant_Saint_John_the_Baptist%27,_oil_on_panel_painting_by_Titian.jpg

[6] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matka-Boza_Rokitno.jpg

[7] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinese_Madonna._St._Francis%27_Church,_Macao.jpg

[8] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fernando_Y%C3%A1%C3%B1ez_De_La_Almedina_-_Madonna_and_Child_with_Infant_St_John_-_WGA25933.jpg

[9] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Madonna_and_Child_MET_DT3028.jpg

[10] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_of_the_Virgin_Mary_presenting_the_child_Jesus_Gwanghwamun_Beatification.jpg

[11] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ethiopia-Axum_Cathedral-fresco-Black_Madonna.JPG

[12] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Virgin_mary_west_portal_Notre_Dame_Paris.jpg

[13] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Madonna_and_Child,_15th_century_German_wooden_statuette,_Mus%C3%A9e_de_Cluny.jpg

[14] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MarianartintheCatholicChurchjf0137_04.JPG

Last updated: 9 June 2024