Mary comes alive to the reader through striking artistic representations that range from the origins of Western art to the iconography of the twentieth century. From Titian, Raphael, and Fra Angelico to Van Eyck, Albrecht Durer, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the most famous as well as lesser-known representations of Mary are brought together with sculptures, frescoes, and stone statues that recreate scenes from her life. Biblical and literary references to the Virgin Mother have been woven into the authors account of the life of Mary. Her history is unveiled in a rich collection of the words and images that have defined her throughout the centuries of Christianity. Constructing a passionate biography of Mary and a captivating portrait of the time in which she lived, this book also offers insight into the symbolic dimension of this key figure and the universal nature of her history. This exquisitely produced book is a celebration of Mary; it is a gift to commemorate the Christmas season with reverence, pay homage to motherhood, and provide hours of inspirational reflection.