Today at the State Museum of History of Religion (St. Petersburg) opens the exhibition "And God Created Woman ...". The exhibition features more than 100 pieces - sculpture, painting, graphics, decorative art, Orthodox icons and Buddhist tanks f

Today, March 26, at the State Museum of History of Religion (St. Petersburg, ul. Pochtamtskaya, 14) presents "And God Created Woman ...". The exhibition includes more than 100 exhibits - the sculptures, paintings, graphics, crafts (including jewelry), art, Orthodox icons and Buddhist tanks from the Museum's collection, revealing the image and role of women in world religions.

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female divinities occupied in the history of religious ideas of mankind significant place. In the archaic beliefs of the central image of a mother goddess - the oldest incarnation of the divine principle. Later the women of heaven, like the women of the earth, as being involved in the act of creation. Goddess commanded the forces of nature, fertility, and were closely connected with the mysteries of rebirth of nature in spring (birth) and decline in the autumn (of death).

Sections of the exhibition are numerous images of female deities representing different religions of the world . The images, sometimes combining a variety of functions and roles.

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The Great Mother (or lady-goddess) had many functions. Famous figures of Paleolithic Venus dating XXIV - XXII centuries. BC. Oe. Many historians believe the first images of the goddess-mother. Found in different regions of Europe and Northeast Asia, these figures are the characteristic features - pronounced female forms, the lack of face and legs. Over time, the image of the Great Mother was transformed into goddesses - Protecting maternity and fertility (the Greek Demeter, the Roman Ceres), Protecting the welfare of cities and entire states (the Phrygian goddess Cybele), the hearth (Taoist Immortal Woman He-Ho). Sculptures and images of these and other goddesses are represented in the first section of the exhibition.

Biblical story of the Fall, and the role played in it Eve, cast from the throne of the "Great Mother". That Eve ventured to break the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Knowledge led to a reassessment of values - and devalued the role of women. A new interpretation of female image presented at the exhibition illustrate the icon "Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise» (XVIII cent.) And "Shestodnev» (XVII century.) Prints "Expulsion from Eden» (XIX cent.) And "seduced by the serpent" ( R. Coop, 1845) and other items.

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The status of women is increasingly limited to the role of mother and wife. In the section of the exhibition devoted to the family and marriage, are unique exhibits: statuettes of spirits - protectors of the human family and the Amur region of southern West Siberia, the Russian splints, jewelry, icons and paintings of the Holy Family, lithographs of the famous English artist William Hogarth (XVIII century. ). The central female image in the history of Christianity - Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ - at the exhibition are pictures of the Virgin and Child, as well as paintings, icons and sculptures that tell the story of its life on earth.

Saints Protecting prominently in most of world and national religions. Corresponding section of the exhibition brings together images of Christian, Hindu, Buddhist saints and goddesses - St. Mary Magdalene, Saint. Catherine St.. Lucia, St. Genevieve, St.. Tatiana, St. Natalie, as well as Green Tara, Kuan-yin, Krishna and Radha, Sarasvati, etc.

In general, the development of religious ideas of mankind the image of women has not undergone significant changes. Duality of female nature contributed to the dual interpretation of women's images in the religions of different peoples. On the one hand, "She - network, and her heart was a snare, and her hands fetters" (Ekklez. 7.23), on the other - "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb" (Luke 1.28).

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section of the exhibition "Woman - virtue and vice," captures the mystery of the duality of female Nature. Who is she - unbridled, full of vice fiend or a virtuous keeper of hearth? Luebke featuring Baba Yaga, an allegorical etchings F. Goya series "Caprichos" (1799) and lithography William Hogarth "Credulity, superstition, bigotry" (1762), as well as prints with images of hellish Sabbat, processions whores in hell personified vices show the "dark side" of female nature. "Bright Side" - examples of high inspired asceticism, illustrated icon-painting images of St. Mary of Egypt (XVII century.) Ss. Martha and Mary (XIX cent.) And other exhibits.

The exhibition is open until June 26.

Source: gmir.ru