The chapter entitled “Jesus and Mary,” concludes with a discussion of the multi-dimensional representations of the youthful Christ Emmanuel in manuscript illumination and monumental painting. Hennessy interprets their proliferation in the course of the twelfth century not only as a reflection of complex theological issues but also of society’s general interest in portraying the sanctity of youth.

By Rossitza B. Schroeder, Bryn Mawr; excerpts, edited by ELLOPOS BLOG.

Cf. Cecily Hennessy, Images of Children in Byzantium. Farnham/Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2008. Pp. xviii, 263; 8 p. of plates. ISBN 9780754656319 – at Amazon.