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Madonna and child in Italy

You are here: Home1 / Veneto2 / Venezia3 / Madonna and child in Italy

Madonna and child in Italy

It is Christmas and the holidays have inspired me to take a closer look at our photos of Madonna and child from various parts of Italy.

Wikipedia has a very interesting and learned article on Madonna. This Italian word for my Lady that became an integral part of art terminology describing representations of Mary alone or with her child Jesus.

Madonna and child in Italy

Two versions of Madonna and child spotted in Venice.

In Italy these representations are everywhere. From the world famous churches and art galleries to the modest roadside chapels. There is almost always a Madonna in sight, which makes it perfect for a game of spotto, when there are kids around.

And even though the Madonnas on this page are not painted by Michelangelo or Caravaggio, the details can still be pretty captivating. Like the Madonna from Dogliani in Cuneo, Piedmont, who is publicly breastfeeding her infant. The chubby child eyeing an owl on a wooden bollard in the Venetian lagoon. Or the figure of mother and child entangled in rosary necklaces in Santa Maria di Castellabate south of Salerno, Campania. They are all very different representations of the same idea, and I’m sure you will get to see more like it over the Christmas week.

Madonna and child in Italy

Madonna and child seen in Santa Maria di Castellabata, Grottaglie, Altamura, Dogliani, Taranto, Nardó, Assisi, Genova and Fasano. You can click on the photo to enlarge.

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17 replies
  1. Maria
    Maria says:
    December 22, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Fantastic art history lesson Mette. Love your content, examples and narrative.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      December 26, 2013 at 12:37 pm

      Wow. Thank you:D

      Reply
  2. Mike
    Mike says:
    December 22, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    You nailed this post with the pictures, Mette! I’m always awestruck by the history in all things especially for posts from overseas. Wow, I got sidetracked. I did click on our Wikipedia link for a read up. To use your word…captivating indeed! :)

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      December 26, 2013 at 12:40 pm

      Always glad to distract:)

      Reply
  3. Muza-chan
    Muza-chan says:
    December 23, 2013 at 12:01 am

    Merry Christmas! :)

    Reply
  4. Laura @Travelocafe
    Laura @Travelocafe says:
    December 23, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Such a lovely post for Christmas. I think Italy is one of the best countries where one can spend Xmas.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      December 26, 2013 at 12:50 pm

      Yes. There is no shortage of religious symbols:)

      Reply
  5. Sonya
    Sonya says:
    December 23, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    Merry Christmas! Love your site!

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      December 26, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      Thank you. And merry Christmas to you too:)

      Reply
  6. Mary {The World Is A Book}
    Mary {The World Is A Book} says:
    December 24, 2013 at 9:26 am

    What a great tribute to the Madonna and fitting for Christmas. Love all the different versions of the Madonna you captured in your travels. They’re all beautiful! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mette!

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      December 26, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      Thank you Mary. And the same to you and yours:)

      Reply
  7. Sophie
    Sophie says:
    December 27, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    A lot can be said of Catholicism, but one thing I like is the focus on the mother role. She seems to have been completely forgotten in the Protestant world. Very interesting post, Mette.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      December 29, 2013 at 4:21 pm

      Never thought about that before, but you’re right. The mother is treated like a surrogate.

      Reply
  8. Mary @ Green Global
    Mary @ Green Global says:
    January 27, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    Thanks for this post on Mary and Baby Jesus representations. Great pictures! :-)

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      January 29, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      Thanks

      Reply
  9. Lori
    Lori says:
    February 20, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Lovely selection :) I just saw Monuments Men – a reference to a Madonna with child was made there :)

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      February 20, 2014 at 6:29 pm

      How interesting – now I have an excuse to go to the cinema too:)

      Reply

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