The following thesis investigates the figure of the black Madonna. Because there is a lack of information on why and when these figures were created, this has created an air of mystery and intrigue around them and they have become the subject of highly speculative assumptions. The thesis has two main aims. Firstly, it analyses the trends in the existing literature; it considers the problems such research raises and how these might be addressed more critically. Secondly, this thesis will argue that it is possible to adopt a different way of approaching the subject of black Madonnas. The research in this thesis was conducted because it was felt not only were there were gaps in the existing literature, but there were questions raised in this literature that largely went unanswered. A significant section of the existing literature has used what might be described as a ‘grand narrative’ approach to the subject, trying to find an explanation that can account for the existence of all black Madonnas and what these images might mean. This thesis adopts a ‘lived religion’ approach to the study of black Madonnas. By conducting an ethnographic, fieldwork based method, it looked at the place of the black Madonna at St Mary’s Anglican Church, London and the relationship the congregation have with this black Madonna. It was found that this shrine challenged some of the existing assumptions about black Madonnas. Rather than the powerful, mysterious, esoteric alternative to the Virgin Mary portrayed in the previous literature, the black Madonna at St Mary’s was not always a central feature for worshippers. This research demonstrates that different results may be obtained if the focus is on one shrine rather than a comparative study. It is the combination of a critical examination of the existing literature with the results of the fieldwork that has made this research an original contribution to the field of black Madonna studies.

The Canticle of the Black Madonna is an original opera-oratorio in two acts, comprising 27 pieces for six operatic soloists, mixed chorus, and chamber orchestra. It is based on an original libretto by Tiziana DellaRovere and is approximately two hours in duration. The Canticle of the Black Madonna combines elements of numerous musical traditions—including medieval organum, baroque oratorio, and both classical and contemporary chamber opera—to tell the story of a fictional American soldier returning from Afghanistan to his wife in Louisiana, the challenges they face to their marriage and livelihood as they struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, the ecological and socioeconomic consequences of the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, and the healing transformation they ultimately undergo at the hands of a mysterious divine figure called The Black Madonna.

This thesis studies the possibilities of education in the field of Czech cubism in museum and school environment. Czech cubism is a phenomenon that cannot be found in any other place in the world. The aim of this thesis is to bring this cultural monument and its basics to the primary and secondary schools and to the public. An educational programme is presented, that contains the theory, visual art assignments and an assignment booklet. The project is focused on realisation of our cultural tradition and visual art originality. KEY WORDS Czech cubism, architecture, applied arts, House of the Black Madonna, education, educational programme

<p>The purpose with this essay is to study if the exhibition, <em>Maria-Drömmen om kvinnan </em>has a gender perspective and if it contributes to the history of art. The study shows what kind of women the exhibition illustrates and what kind of perspective it has. By telling about the black Madonna I also show that there is another representation of the middle age women in the Roman Catholic Church at this time that the exhibition not have included. The study is also going to illustrate the difference between a genderperspektiv in art and a women’s perspective. I use the world of art and a study from the government to explain how the gender perspective can be used.</p>

The purpose with this essay is to study if the exhibition, Maria-Drömmen om kvinnan has a gender perspective and if it contributes to the history of art. The study shows what kind of women the exhibition illustrates and what kind of perspective it has. By telling about the black Madonna I also show that there is another representation of the middle age women in the Roman Catholic Church at this time that the exhibition not have included. The study is also going to illustrate the difference between a genderperspektiv in art and a women’s perspective. I use the world of art and a study from the government to explain how the gender perspective can be used.