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Categories Gallery, Mary, Mother of God
Man of Sorrows
Bertha, Queen of Kent
A modern sculpture by the English artist, David Wynne. The stone sculpture depicts Mary's response to the angel's message that she would carry the Son of the Most High in her womb. Mary, typically clothed in a more demure "marian blue" is dressed in bright blue with a golden sash drawing attention to the body of a pregnant woman.

David Wynne's art often invites controversial reactions and this image of Mary is no exception. Housed in the Lady Chapel of the Ely Cathedral, Mary's golden hair and belt, as well as her bright blue attire, stand in stark contrast to the cold, gray stone of the chamber. Mary is placed at the east end of the chapel, centered above the altar, with her arms raised in a pose of celebration. The golden hair and belt are often considered garish, but the majority of the controversy relates to her figure and posture. The breasts and hips are prominent, with the belt resting just over her womb. While the stance deviates from other artwork of the young Mary, humbleness can still be seen in her bowed head and closed eyes. Furthermore, the power of her affirmative response can be felt in the total surrender of the physicality of her body, a body prepared to carry and nurse a baby.

The sculpture also invites reflection on Mary’s ancestor, Miriam. Over a millenia before Mary’s song of praise, Miriam lifted her arms as she led hundreds of thousands in worship in the first liturgy of liberation, the Song of the Sea, recorded in Exodus chapter 15. Mary’s voice echoes her sister Miriam, and one may imagine Mary participating in the ancient Jewish custom of dancing to worship a God whose strong arm scatters the proud and uplifts the lowly.

Title of Art: The Blessed Virgin Mary

Subjects: Mary, mother of Jesus

Ritual Pose/Object: orans pose

Artist: David Wynne

Art Form: Sculpture

Date of Composition: 2000

Event: Annunciation

Inscription Text: "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be according to your word."

Exhibit Institution: Ely Cathedral, Lady Chapel

Exhibit Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, England

VM Image #: 0115

Photographer: Josephine Stringer

Date of Photograph: July 19, 2023

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