| Mary, Protector of Faith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Jon-Joseph Russo |
| Year | 2000 (2000) |
| Type | Limestone |
| Dimensions | 190 cm × 61 cm × 51 cm (75 in × 24 in × 20 in) |
| Location | Washington, D.C.,United States |
| Coordinates | 38°56′3.8″N77°0′5.28″W / 38.934389°N 77.0014667°W /38.934389; -77.0014667 |
| Owner | Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |
Mary, Protector of Faith is a public artwork byAmerican artistJon-Joseph Russo, located at theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception inWashington, D.C.,United States.Mary, Protector of Faith stands in Mary's Garden at the Basilica.[1]
This limestone sculpture depictsMother Mary at full-length holding an infant (Christ?) to her chest. She wears a robe which covers her body fully as well as her head. She has bare-feet that peek out from under the robe and she has long hair. She looks towards her proper right as she holds the baby, wrapped in a small blanket, to her chest. She stands on a square-ish pedestal and stands on the stone border of a fountain.
Jon-Joseph Russo is based out of Washington, D.C. His work focuses on three main areas of work: landscape architecture, sculpture and furniture design. His educational background consists of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture fromAlfred University and a Masters of Landscape Architecture fromCornell University. His work is inspired by the ItalianRenaissance movement. In 1992 he relocated to Washington and formed his own Studio Russo. He work is seen in the collections and landscapes ofAECOM,Oehme, van Sweden & Associates, and South Korea.[2]
Mary is located in Mary's Garden, a devotional area located on a three-quarter site on the Basilica grounds. According to theNational Council of Catholic Women the garden "honors Mary, a faith-filled woman who ‘pondered things in her heart..We hope that it will inspire all who come here to mirror Mary's life." The garden features a circular fountain with a variety of benches and small prayer niches for pilgrims and visitors to visit. Trees, flowering shrubs and flowers with white blossoms surround the area to represent Mary'spurity.[1]
The sculpture was commissioned after a contest was held for the statue.[2] Funding for the sculpture was provided by theDiocese of Orlando and the National Council of Catholic Women.Mary is dedicated to former director of the National Shrine, Bishop Emeritus of Orlando,Thomas Joseph Grady. The sculpture was dedicated on June 10, 2000 with over 1,000 in attendance.[1]
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