Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index

Title: Annunciation with the Virgin Mary Spinning
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Description: The Virgin wears the rich clothing of an empress and sits on a throne surrounded by angels. In her lap is fabric that she has woven, and the unwoven material trails into a basket that stands to her right. According to the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal text, Mary was spinning the purple veil of the Temple when she was visited by the archangel Gabriel. Here Gabriel flies above and points to the dove of the Holy Spirit, which descends projectile-like toward the Virgin's head. The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was dedicated at a time of controversy over Mary's nature. Imagery such as this Annunciation was intended to elevate her role.
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