'Ave'/'Eva': Conflict and Parallelism in Depictions of the Virgin Mary and Eve

Lewin, Katherine G (1999) 'Ave'/'Eva': Conflict and Parallelism in Depictions of the Virgin Mary and Eve. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The Virgin Mary and Eve are quite possibly the most written about, discussed and theorized women in the Western World. Since the birth of Christianity these two women's identities have come to mean different things but when placed together their similarities are striking. This exhibition hopes to achieve a better understanding of their connotations, iconography, contrasts and parallelism during one of the most illustrious periods in artistic history, the Renaissance. The premise of this exhibition is summed up in the Latin poem, by the eleventh-century reformer, Peter Damian. In English it reads: "That angel who greets you with 'Ave' Reverses sinful Eva's name. Lead us back, O holy Virgin, Whence the falling sinner came" (Broude 1982, pg. 84). In Latin Eve, is spelt 'Eva,' which in reverse spells 'Ave,' the greeting that the Angel Gabriel spoke in the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1 ;28). In this greeting Mary becomes pregnant with Christ, who redeems the world from original sin. Mary in the New Testament comes to represent the 'Second Eve.' Mary and Eve's relationship is complex and difficult to understand like the mystery of the Trinity itself This small exhibition explores the meaning and relation of these women in the; Sculpture, Painting, Engraving and Manuscripts of the Renaissance.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Deborah Lambert
• Keywords: Art history, Religious history
• Date of Award: 1999
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1999-76070
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 16:52
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 16:52
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76070