Portrait “Virgin Mary in Red and Turquoise”

Virgin Mary Portraits – Study
from the series: “Ephesians 5:11”

These drawings are part of a preparatory series exploring the connection between sacred iconography and female sexuality — what the artist M.B. calls Virgin Mary Portraits.

Rooted in her personal experience of adapting from Germany’s culture to the conservative landscape of Italian, this work is a feminist response to that tension.

Each study reimagines the vulva as a site of reverence, echoing the Madonna not in irony, but in reclamation. Inspired by the verse Ephesians 5:11: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them,” these pieces challenge what’s hidden and celebrate what gives life.

Every drawing serves as groundwork for future paintings. But they also stand alone – symbolic and intentional.

Created with coloured pencil on paper, each piece is signed and dated on the front. Dates follow the European format: day, month, year.

Specs
Study: 14 × 14 cm (approx. 6 × 6 in)
Framed: 22.5 × 22.5 × 3 cm (approx. 8.86 × 8.86 × 1.2 in)

Framing
Set in a wooden object frame behind glass, designed to hang, stand, or lie flat. Each study comes with a signed certificate of authenticity.

Please allow 10–12 days for framing and packaging before shipping.