MODERN IMAGES: MARY OF NAZARETH

Maia Morgenstern as Mary of Nazareth in 'The Passion of the Christ'

Very few images of Mary show the lines and wrinkles a Jewish peasant woman would have as she aged.

Later sequences in 'The Passion of the Christ' capture the mature Mary.

 Statue of Mary by David Wynne, Ely Cathedral

 A modern statue of Mary by Robert Graham
at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles

The cathedral website describes the statue thus:

'The ornamental space above the pair of bronze doors contains the 8 foot image of Our Lady of the Angels.
The modern figure is presented as a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet” (Revelations 12:1).
The halo shaft above her head shines God’s light on her as the sun travels from east to west.
Mary does not wear the traditional veil. Her arms are bare, outstretched to welcome all. Her carriage is confident, and her hands are strong, the hands of a working woman.
From the side can be seen a thick braid of hair down her back that summons thoughts of Native American or Latina women. Other characteristics, such as her eyes, lips and nose convey Asian, African and Caucasian features.
Without the conventional regal trappings of jewels, crown or layers of clothing, she has a dignity that shines from within.'

Mary in Franco Zeffirelli's film 'Jesus of Nazareth'

Nativity scene from a modern film

The young Mary, from a recent film

'Kissing the Face of God', by Morgan Weistling