The Faces of Mary in Art

The different portrayals of Mary convey the different interpretations of Mary.  Even in the Uffizi, it can be seen how some people saw Mary as a mother figure, often cradling the body of her dead son.  Other times she is shown as a protector, and these depictions are used in churches who are asking Mary to watch over them.  She is even displayed as a shy virgin when the angel Gabriel is shown bringing her the word of God.  These different interpretations of Mary highlight the larger issue of the church which is that there are many different ways to see all of the different stories and people of Christianity.  Regarding Mary, she can be seen as a protector, a mother, or a virgin, and she can also be seen as either the mother of the lord and/or the mother of God.  The different types of artwork with Mary as a subject demonstrate these different views.