The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon presents “Ave Maria: Marian Devotional Works from Eastern and Western Christendom” in the McKenzie Gallery.

This exhibition, on view through July 20, 2014, explores a variety of representations of Mary and iconic scenes from her life through narrative and symbolic works in the JSMA’s collection.

“Ave Maria” features panel paintings of the Virgin Mary that continue the tradition of Marian imagery from both the Byzantine Empire, represented by paintings of Russian, Yugoslavian, and Greek heritage and from the Holy Roman Empire, represented by paintings from the Netherlands and Italy, which demonstrate similarities and differences between Eastern and Western Marian iconography.

“The major differences between Byzantine icons and Western European panel paintings are stylistic,” says June Koehler, JSMA assistant curator. “Whereas Byzantine icons are static, linear, and non-perspectival—they are considered to be painted theology—Western European panel paintings are more naturalistic and include both narrative and landscape elements.”

- from the UO Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art