Eve and Mary

Subtitled 'the search for lost beauty and sensuality', this book is a personal pilgrimage and reflection on the way in which feminine beauty and sensuality have been treated by the Church, with particular reference to Mary Magdalene. The author begins his journey in Vezelay, which is dedicated to her, looking at a sensual statue of Eve offering the apple to Adam. In the sixth century, Pope Gregory reinforced a new female stereotype associating sex with sin, as had Paul and Augustine, and leading to a climate of fear depicted in many mediaeval cathedrals with their images of the last judgement. Greek culture had developed the ideas of harmony and beauty and also gave birth to Aphrodite. In the early Christian era, Mary Magdalene was characterised as a representative of the path of Divine Love and overcame Roman dedication to the Vestal Virgins, but her significance was eclipsed for several hundred years after the edict of Pope Gregory referred to above. In addition, there is the general subjugation of women by men represented in the tension between Peter and Mary Magdalene. The fact that Vezelay (1112) was dedicated to Mary marked her cultural renaissance. The author also describes other places in France like Ste Baume associated with her and the rise of courtly love - she was also the patron saint of the Knights Templar. By the 15th century with the work of Italian artists, the ideal of feminine beauty has returned although many undercurrents from our Christian heritage remain.