The "Madonna and Child"
was the dominant "art" in the Western World for more than 1000 years.
These representations - rendered in stone, ivory, wood, wax, marble, paint, and mosaic -
were all intended for spiritual meditation.
The earlier artists actually remained in a meditative state whilst working.
Despite vastly different times and cultures, the 'state' of many these artists is still present.
That 'awareness' might take a moment or two ... rather than a momentary glance.
However, the communication of mind across the years
was perhaps the most astounding observation of this compilation.
Imagine, if possible, these images as Christmas gifts from the past.
Below are links to three catalogs, arranged sequentially in time,
plus a 'Timeline'
of the evolution of the prehistoric female as 'goddess',
to the earlest Christian icons, through old master paintings,
and eventually to the late 19th century secular mother and child.
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