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Intriguing and Ancient: A Photographic Exhibit of Black Madonnas

By Maureen Schlangen, E-scholarship and communications manager

The exhibit, “Black Madonnas — Intriguing and Ancient,” features 24 photographs of mostly enthroned Madonnas, also called “Throne of Wisdom” sculptures, many of which are considered Black Madonnas. Known as vierges noires in French, Black Madonnas depict the Virgin Mary, seated with the Christ child on her lap. Though most prevalent in France, they also appear in Spain, Poland, Switzerland and other countries.

The moniker is not a racial one.

“Often they are painted black,” Aubrey wrote in a 2015 blog. “Often they are a wood, like pear, that blackens with age, and sometimes they are blackened by the accumulation of soot and smoke from the candles that burn perpetually in their honor.”

Other art historians offer biblical and cultural explanations, said Michael Duricy, coordinator of academic programs at the International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton.

One theory, Duricy said, is that the images were darkened to illustrate a text from the Song of Songs: “I am black but beautiful” [Negra sum sed formosa]. Many of the sculptures date from the Crusades, when Bernard of Clairvaux wrote commentaries on the Canticles, comparing the soul to the bride. He was also known to have visited several shrines of the Black Madonna. In the Gothic period, texts explicitly interpreted the bride in Canticles as referring to Mary. Once this artistic precedent was set, subsequent Black Madonnas may have been more the result of artistic convention than of theological motivation.

Along with this exhibit, “The Prints of Benjamin Miller” will be on display through July 27.

Though the photography in the Black Madonnas exhibit is on loan, the Marian Library has several Black Madonna images and statues in its collection, as well as some jewelry. Visitors are welcome to view the items with the assistance of Marian Library staff.

For more information, visit udayton.edu/marianlibrary


HOW TO GO:

Black Madonnas — Intriguing and Ancient
June 25–July 27, 2018

Marian Library Gallery, seventh floor of Roesch Library
Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday

Admission and parking are free; visitor parking passes can be obtained at the visitor parking information center

For special arrangements, please call 937-229-4214.

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