MODERN MADONNA

Acrylic on canvas, 1 x 1 FT

When I first finished this piece, I saw a Byzantine face of the Madonna. I studied the face as the paint was drying. The Madonna I originally saw slowly became every woman. But, isn’t that the point?

“Madonna” became an interchangeable title for The Blessed Virgin in the 1500s, originating from the Italian “ma donna” which meant “my lady”. By that etymology, we (women) are all MADONNA.

There are so many other ways that women hold this iconography as well. We’re the ones that bare children yet are supposed to not be sexualized in that role though that very role requires sex. I actually google searched (which I may regret) “Nude Depiction of The Virgin Mary” because of all the nude saints and sinners, angels and demons I can recall in my art history studies, I couldn’t think of one image of The Virgin Mary. The only depictions created during the Renaissance and other classical timelines are as she is breastfeeding, again defined as mother. Besides modern versions meant to explore the exact theme I’m discussing, there is a reason I couldn’t remember an image: There aren’t any. So, if Madonna is the vessel which contains the epitome of what it is to be a woman, where does that leave us?

The difference between “sex” and “gender” is the difference of biological definitions and societal norms. So, what makes a woman besides sugar and spice and everything nice? We’re supposed to carry the nurturing roles of mother, wife, sister and daughter with demure adoration, all the while knowing how much strength it takes to assume those mantles. We’re supposed to be passionate yet not too passionate so as to still be considered feminine. We’re supposed to own our gender yet not act overly “emotional” in our responses to situations because our feelings can be considered irrational. I know some of this has the vein of the monologue from 2023’s “Barbie” movie yet, again, there’s a reason… and, as a woman, it ain’t easy to figure out.