MADONNAS: From Medieval to Modern

Perhaps the most pervasive image of the Nativity is that of the Madonna cradling her child; since the second century, iconographers have depicted Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a woman worthy of veneration. Despite scanty information about Mary in the Gospels, "the yearning for the powerful but gentle Great Mother could not be silenced," claims Belán, who categorizes Madonna worship into very rough historical periods. Belán offers interesting art-historical details on such variations as the Black Madonna and the Madonna as Sun Goddess. The bulk of the book is comprised of point-by-point explanations of some famous works of art, which are lavishly reproduced here. (Dec.)