Images of Virgin Mary as Orant in Early Christian Art

Cilj zaključnega seminarskega dela je spremljati razvoj motiva Maria orans v okviru samostojnih in večfiguralnih upodobitev v starokrščanski umetnosti in hkrati ugotoviti (prezrto) pomembno vlogo, ki jo je zavzemala Devica Marija v očeh starokrščanskega vernika. Ob upoštevanju vsakokratnega kulturno-zgodovinskega ozadja, preko navezovanja na pogansko umetnost in upoštevanja apokrifnih besedil, je v nalogi orisana podlaga za nastanek in razvoj podob Marije v gesti orante. Izbrane upodobitve so predmet ikonografske analize, ki odkriva, da je v okviru obravnavanega motiva zaradi premalo raziskanega področja veliko neznank, ki onemogočajo zanesljivo interpretacijo določenih upodobitev. Analiza literature in samih upodobitev razkriva tudi Marijino izjemno vlogo Božje matere, predstavnice Cerkve in celo duhovnice oz. svečenice.The goal of the final seminar work is to observe the development of the Maria orans motif within independent and multi-figure depictions in Early Christian Art and at the same time identify the (neglected) important role portrayed by the Virgin Mary in the eyes of an early Christian believer. Taking into account the cultural and historical background, considering the relation to pagan art and the study of apocryphal texts, the thesis outlines the basis for the emergence and development of images of Mary in the gesture of orant. Selected depictions are subject of iconographic analysis, which reveals that there are many unknowns within the considered motif due to insufficient research, which make it impossible to reliably interpret certain depictions. The analysis of the literature and the depictions themselves also reveals Mary\u27s exceptional role as the Mother of God, the representative of the Church and even the priestess