Crowning Glory: The Virgin Mary in the Arts of Portugal

Based on an exhibition of 75 artworks at the Newark Museum, this video looks at the role of Mary in Portuguese culture and former Portuguese colonies around the world. Arguing that the mother of Jesus is the most prominent woman in religious history, the program examines the life of Mary as myth, historical figure, icon, and most importantly, as a human being. The artifacts include paintings, sculptures, and textiles from the Middle Ages to the present. The video features interesting interviews (most notably with guest curator Dr. Jerrilynn Dodds), good camera treatment of the artworks, and a truly beautiful musical background. The only disappointment is that the "credits" for each piece (the name of the work, the artist, and where it is permanently housed) are at the end of the video following the production credits, and are so tiny they are almost impossible to read. While the voice-overs frequently mention an artist, unobtrusive semi-opaque graphics at the foot of the screen would have been much more useful. This reverent video is an excellent choice for church libraries and parochial schools, as well as public libraries. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)