Lady Madonna

November 23, 2022
Lady Madonna
To begin, let us examine the wonderful 19th Century Russian IconThree-handed Madonna, Russian. Created using egg tempera, which was traditionally created by mixing egg yolk with powdered pigments and a little water, the medium allowed for bright colours and was commonly applied to wooden panels as seen through many, if not all, icons. A more naturalistic style to the Russian tradition, the work appears more emotional and more naturalistic in the style of the Greek schools that would often use radiant and bright colours that often contrast sharply with the usual subdued colours chosen by Russian iconographers. There is a great humility to this work, a sense of deep reverence and of piety. Rebirth, unlike in Toxic Mary, is brought to the forefront which contrasts with Banksy’s use of a poisonous bottle that conjures up the notion of death. The gold and bright red, warming and hopeful, communicate the pride in a mother and her child. The three-handedness of Virgin Mary has its analogy in the three-headed representations of archangels and Christ in the Eastern-orthodox areas as a way of giving praise to one aspect of St. Trinity. The Three-handed Virgin Mary symbolises one specific aspect of the triple divine power of St. Trinity embodied through Christ. The spectre of sacrifice and of suffering hang over the background of the work because, however joyful the Madonna seems, she is aware of the fate of her son. 
 

An early work that first appeared at Banksy’s seminal Banksy’s Turf War exhibition in Dalston, 2003 the Toxic Mary is one of the artist’s most outwardly religious pieces. Subsequently created as a limited-edition series of prints in the same year by Pictures on Walls, Toxic Mary was released as an edition of 150 signed prints, unsigned and 44 colour APs. Deeply powerful, the work places one of the most important symbols in orthodox iconography: the Virgin Mary and Child at the centre of the centre.

In Toxic Mary the relationship between the mother and child is explored and layered with that of religion, innocence, perversion and power. Religion, a subject that also features in Christ with Shopping Bags, can be seen as a great source of comfort to many and a guiding light for their morals and behaviours. However, Banksy expertly challenges this notion as the Madonna figure feeds the Infant Christ with a bottle that bears a skull and crossbones - the symbol of death and poison. It is no secret that many conflicts and wars have been fought in the name of religion across the ages and, even now, great misdeeds are enacted in the name of religion. Gone is the hope and piety of the Three-Handed Madonna and the suffering of which Christ went through is brought to the foreground. The subdued greys and thick blacks further illustrate a work with a seemingly menacing and sad tone. 

 
View full screen - View 1 of Lot 19. BANKSY | TOXIC MARY.

For more information on our Banksy paintings for sale or to buy Banksy prints, contact Andipa via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7581 1244. Alternatively, sell your Banksy print with Andipa or find out more about selling Banksy paintings and artworks.