By Carrie Gress

Our Lady is the most painted and depicted woman in all of history and a natural subject for any Catholic home. The problem isn't always finding Marian art, but finding Marian art that you really love and cherish. Gratefully, there is a lot to choose from for prayer and inspiration. 

I've collected a lot of Marian art over the years, some of which I've passed on to others, and others that I truly cherish. What I love about Marian art is that every image and every devotion has its own story to tell of Mary's intercession during a specific time period or troubled era in history. These stories, and not just the image or statue, can speak into our depths and can even help us discover or refine our own mission and purpose. Our Lady, ever a tender mother, knows how to speak to us through beauty and truth.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces of Marian art that draw me in daily. 

Mater Salvatoris

I discovered this special piece when I lived in Rome. For months, I walked past a dusty shop that specialized in plaster elements for Roman buildings, particularly ceilings. It was decidedly not a tourist shop, but I was alway intrigued by what I saw in the windows. One day, I awkwardly ventured. It was worth the effort as I found this striking relief. 

Unfortunately, when it was time to head back to the U.S., I cut off the hanging element to save room in my suitcase. Years later, lamenting my foolish snipping, my husband came up with another way for us to display it in a custom niche.

The piece features the young John the Baptist and Mary holding Jesus. On the bottom is written, Mater Salvatoris, or Mother of the Savior. 

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom

This was given to me as a gift decades ago and still remains a favorite. With a doctorate in philosophy, the devotion to Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, has deep meaning. 

When I became a mother, the statue took on greater meaning. I always loved the way Jesus was tucked up closely in her arms, but now I know exactly how that feels. Deeper still, it struck me that Jesus's feet must have been cold. I love the way Mary's mantle is held by her right hand to cover his feet. What used to just be a lovely draping took on new meaning. 

Various versions of this can be purchased online in different degrees of decoration. I prefer the simplicity of the monochrome, but more ornate versions abound.

Madonna and Child Giving Blessings

This image is one of the miraculous gifts of technology. When I lived in Rome, I spent roughly an hour each day in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church near the Pantheon (also quite near my favorite coffee shop). I would go to Mass, then grab coffee and a cornetto and make my way back to the Church for silent prayer. There was something wonderful about starting work at noon. The work was painted by 15th century artist Benozzo Gozolli, and features Our Lady and Her Son standing the portico of The Father's House. I love that Jesus has the orbe in his hand, a reminder of his power over the whole world. I love that Gozolli included so many small details, like a textured kind of wallpaper behind the Virgin and Child, the finesse of the white lace layered under Mary's mantle, and the serenity of her face. Its presence my master bedroom provides a larger than life feeling, drawing one in. It always feels like an incredible gift that this image, before which I prayed for so many hours, can be replicated and is now in my home. 

Although it appears that this particular image is no longer available, a vast array of others can be found at Fine Art America. I also have St. Ursula, The Triumph of St. Thomas Aquinas, and Virgin of the Angels, all by Gozzoli, but many, many more artists are available.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

This Madonna is an extraordinary piece. I ordered from the Spanish company, Art Made in Heaven. I love the precision of Our Lady's body and that her belly, swollen with the living Christ, can be seen. Her hair, her hands, her feet all express great detail and humanness. She has a hushed kind of presence that truly does impart peace.

 

Della Robbia

I've written about this company before, Bettina Ceramica. These made-in-Italy ceramics are not inexpensive but they are really lovely (and a lot cheaper than flying to Italy and picking them up yourself). 

This Della Robbia made in Florence, Italy, is usually painted with bright colors featuring the fruit and the Mother and Christ Child. I was really drawn to the all-white version. 

 

Madonna and Child

This Madonna and Child is by the gifted Thomas Marsh (and available at The Mercantile). It is snuggly displayed near my kitchen sink. I love it because of its simplicity but also because it doesn't strike me as the typical kind of beauty used in Madonnas. It feels more Nordic somehow, perhaps harkening from the days of Kristen Lavransdatter, when the people of Norway and Sweden were still Catholic. I also love the tenderness of Our Lady's hand holding the sweet head of the Christ Child.

 

 

Our Lady, Star of the Sea

I bought this sweet Our Lady Star of the Sea by MarekMade when I found out I was pregnant with my son John. I love the gold crown on her head, the star on her breast, and the swirling of the sea at her left. It was first in his crib and then moved with him to his bed. Finally he decided that she needed to be mine. I gladly inherited her and she sits on a chair in my room. It is sweet and simple and always makes me smile because of the memories I associate with baby John, but also because of my great devotion to the Stella Maris - so much so, that we even named our candle company after her.