Birth of the Virgin
Scripture does not recount the story of Mary's birth. This apocryphal tale is found in the Protoevangelium of James, 4.1-5.2.
And behold an angel of the Lord came to her and said: "Anna, Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer. You shall conceive and bear, and your offspring shall be spoken of in the whole world." And Anna said: "As the Lord my God lives, if I bear a child, whether male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God, and it shall serve him all the days of its life."
And behold, there came two messengers, who said to her: "Behold, Joachim your husband is coming with his flocks; for an angel of the Lord came down to him and said to him: 'Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God has heard your prayer. Go down; behold, your wife Anna has conceived. And Joachim went down and called his herdsmen and said: "Bring me twelve calves for the priests and elders, and a hundred kids for the whole people." And behold Joachim came with his flocks, and Anna stood at the gate and saw Joachim coming and ran immediately and hung on his neck, saying "Now I know that the Lord God has greatly blessed me; for behold the widow is no longer a widow, and I, who was childless, have conceived. And Joachim rested the first day in his house.
But the next day he offered his gifts, saying in himself: If the Lord God is gracious to me the frontlet of the priest will make it clear to me. And Joachim offered his gifts, and observed the priest's frontlet when he went up to the altar of the Lord; and he saw no sin in himself. And Joachim said: "Now I know that the Lord God is gracious to me and has forgiven all my sins." And he went down from the temple of the Lord justified, and went to his house.
And her six months [her months] were fulfilled, as the angel had said: in the seventh [ninth] month Anna brought forth. And she said to the midwife: "What have I brought forth?" And she said: "A female." And Anna said: "My soul is magnified this day." And se lay down. And when the days were fulfilled, Anna purified herself from her childbed and gave suck to the child, and called her Mary.
The Birth of the Virgin. Stained Glass, sixteenth century. Chalons-sur-Marne, Church of Notre-Dame-en-Vaux. Lee, Lawrence. Stained Glass. London: Artists House, 1982. p. 53
Birth of the Virgin.John Thornton of Coventry(?). Stained Glass, 15th Century. York Minster, South Choir Aisle, window 17. T. Alan Broughton. This window has been reconstructed, using a figure, far right, from St. John, Micklegate, another church in York.
Birth of the Virgin. Pietro Cavallini, mosaic, 12th century. Rome, Santa Maria Trastevere. Church shop.
The Annunciation
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 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. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou has found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 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: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 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. 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. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38.
The Merode Altarpiece. Robert Campin, the Master of Flemalle, oil on panel, 1426. New York, The Cloisters. Museum shop.
The Annunciation. Pietro Cavillini, mosaic, 13th century. Rome, Santa Maria Trastevere. Church shop.
The Washington Annunciation. Jan Van Eyck, paint on panel (transfered to canvas), 36.5 x 14.37 in. Washington, National Gallery of Art. Robert Hughes and Giorgio T. Faggin. The Complete Paintings of the Van Eycks. New York: Abrams, 1968. Pl. XXXV.
The Annunciation. Jacquemart, illumination, late 14th C. Brussels, Bibliotheque Royale, MS 11060-1, p. 18.Meiss, Millard. French Painting in the Time of Jean de Berry: The Late XIV Century and the Patronage of the Duke. Plate Volume. London: Phaidon, 1969. Pl. 182.
Annunciation. Stained Glass, 12th Century. Chartres Cathedral, west wall. Cathedral shop.
The Cortona Annunciation. Fra Angelico, oil on panel, ca. 1432-33. Museo Diocesano, Cortona. Pope-Hennessy, John. Fra Angelico. Florence: Scala, 1981, p. 16.
The Visitation
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed in the fruit of thy womb. And whence it this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy slautation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit has rejouced in god my Saviour. For he has regard the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, form henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him form generation to generation. He has shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Luke 1:39 56.
The Visitation. Limbourg Brothers, illumination, ca. 1425. The Trs Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. Chantilly, Muse Cond. Cazelles, Raymond. Illuminations of Heaven and Earth. New York: Abrams, 1988. p. 81
The Visitation. Stained glass, 12th century. Chartres Cathedral, west wall, central light. Cathedral shop.
The Visitation: Stained Glass, 15th century. Norfolk, East Harling, Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. Photo by T. Alan Broughton.
The Visitation. Stained Glass, 13th century. Paris, Ste. Chapelle.Church shop.
The Nativity And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2: 4-7 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. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, god with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 The gospel of Mark begins with the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among, us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14
The Nativity of Christ. Stained Glass, ca. 1245. Ste. Chapelle, Paris. Church shop.
The Nativity: Limbourg Brothers, illumination, ca. 1425. Trs Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, f. 44v. Chantilly, Muse Cond. Cazelles, Raymond. Illuminations of Heaven and Earth. New York: Abrams, 1988. p. 84
The Nativity. Stained glass, 12th century. Chartres Cathedral, west wall, central light. Cathedral shop.
The Nativity. Stained glass, 15th century. East Harling, Norfolk; Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. T. Alan Broughton. The Purification of the Virgin
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord); And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Luke 2.22-24.
The Presentation of Christ at the Temple. Stained glass, 12th century. Chartres Cathedral, West wall, central light. Cathedral shop.
Presentation of Christ at the Temple. Stained glass, 15th century. East Harling, Norfolk; Church Sts. Peter and Paul. T. Alan Broughton.
The Purification of the Virgin. The Limbourg Brothers, Trs Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. Illumination, ca. 1425. Chantilly, Muse Cond. Cazelles, Raymond. Illuminations of Heaven and Earth. New York: Abrams, 1988. p. 95
The Adoration of the Magi
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, are not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
And when they heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him their gifts; gold, and frankinscense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into thier own country another way. Matthew 2.1-12
The Adoration of the Magi, detail. Stained glass, 15th century. Norwich, St. Peter Mancroft. Lee,Lawrence. Stained Glass. London: Artists House, 1982. p. 113
The Adoration of the Magi: Stained glass, ca. 1275. Monchengladbach, St-Vitus Munster. Grodecki, Louis. Gothic Stained Glass. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1984. pl. 183
The Flight into Egypt
And when they (the wise men) departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Matthew 2.13-15.
The Flight into Egypt: Stained glass, ca. 1250-1255. Le Mans, Cathedral of St. Julien. Grodecki, Louis. Gothic Stained Glass. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1984. pl. 117
The Flight into Egypt: Illumination, The Hours of Marshal Jean Boucicaut, ca. 1405-08. Paris, Musee Jacquemart-Andre, MS 2, f. 90v. Harthan, John. The Book of Hours. New York: Park Lane, 1977. p. 71.
Jean Colombe. The Flight into Egypt. Illumination, ca 1425. Trs Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. Chantilly, Muse Cond.Cazelles, Raymond. Illuminations of Heaven and Earth. New York: Abrams, 1988. p. 99 This illumination illustrates the miracle of the cherry tree.
The Pentecost
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts of the Apostles 1:13-14.
And when the day of the Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And Í* The Pentecost: Illumination, The Hours of John the Fearless, 1406 15. Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale, MS lat. nouv. acq. 3055, f. 28v. Harthan, John. The Book of Hours. New York: Park Lane, 1977. p. 99
The Pentecost: Duccio, The Maesta, paint on panel, 37.5x42.5 cm. Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Jannella, Cecilia. Duccio. Florence: Scala, 1991. Pl. 97.
Death of the Virgin
No scriptural account of Mary's death exists; however, many apocryphal stories tell of her demise. In one version, called the dormition, the Virgin falls asleep. Christ appears at her deathbed and carries her soul, depicted in visual representations as an infant, into heaven. Other versions maintain that Mary was bodily assumed into heaven. Tradition further asserts that Christ crowned as his consort the assumed Virgin. Although the Church has celebrated the feast of Mary's death on August 15, since about 600, the Assumption did not become officially accepted Church dogma until 1950.
Death of the Virgin: Pietro Cavallini, mosaic, 13th century. Rome, Santa Maria Trastevere. Church shop.
Death of the Virgin: Duccio, The Maesta, paint on panel, 40x45.5 cm. Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Jannella, Cecilia. Duccio. Florence: Scala, 1991. Pl. 105
The Coronation of the Virgin: Stained glass, 15th century. Lierre, Belgium, Church of St. Gommairre.Lee, Lawrence. Stained Glass. London: Artists House, 1982. p. 103
Coronation of the Virgin, detail: Duccio, paint on panel, 51.5 x 32 cm. Budapest, Szepmuveszeti Muzeum. Jannella, Cecilia. Duccio. Florence: Scala, 1991. Pl. 98.
The Assumption of the Virgin: Stained Glass, 15th century, East Harling, Norfolk, Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. T. Alan Broughton
The Virgin and Child
La Belle Verriere (The Beautiful Window) is just one of thousands of visual representations of the Virgin holding the infant Jesus. These range from the austere early frescos and manuscript illuminations to the stylized maestas of late medieval Italy to the very human mother and child of the early Renaissance painters like Fra Lippo Lippi, who used his mistress Lucretia Buti as a model for the Uffizi madonna and other paintings.
La Belle Verriere: Chartres Cathedral. Cathedral Shop.
Virgin and Child: Illumination, The Book of Kells, f. 7v, ca. 900. Dublin, Trinity College Library. Brown, Peter. The Book of Kells. New York: Knopf, 1980. P. 4.
Virgin and Child, Byzantine style: Fresco, 8th Century. Rome, Lower Basilica of San Clemente.Postcard, Church shop.
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints and Angels: Duccio, The Maesta, front panel. Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Jannella, Cecilia. Duccio. Florence: Scala, 1991. Pl. 21.
Madonna and Child: Felippo Lippi, paint on panel, 95 x 62 cm. Florence, Uffizi. Fossi, Gloria. Felippo Lippi. Florence: Scala. P. 25.
Mary Mourns her Dead Son
The Pieta is a devotional image which shows Mary cradling the dead Christ in her lap, as though he were an infant. Other image genres which depict Mary mourning her son include Depositions, where apostles and other mourners remove Christ's body from the Cross, and Lamentations, in which St. John the Divine, Mary Magdalene and others join Mary in her grief.
Pieta: Stained glass, 15th century. Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, Suffolk. T. Alan Broughton.
Pieta: Stained glass, 15th Century. East Harling, Norfolk, Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. T. Alan Broughton.
