I m an Spanish architect staying in Singapore. I really enjoyed your classes. For a European it is embarrassing to see that the teaching of classic art and architecture is a million times better in Tenessee than in Madrid which is 1000 times closer to Rome and has roman ruins one hour away from the school building.

I think you're wrong about the garb Mary's wearing, that she is dressed as a Byzantine Queen. Byzantine Queens, although depicted in images containing copious amounts of gold around and about her figure, tend to wear Purple or sometimes Red. Gold is reserved for Gods. I also don't believe she is being depicted as the Queen of heaven, but as a Queen she is. I quote Leo's Sermon 28, ".. the Angel who was sent to the blessed and ever- Virgin Mary said, " The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, and therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called Son of God ;". Similarly for Christ, "the Lord of the universe allowed His infinite majesty to be overshadowed, and took upon Him the form of a servant." To me it seems Mary is depicted as being "Overshadowed" by divine and with the chair she sits in proves she is not a "Queen of Heaven" high backed chairs also reserved for Gods. Christ on the other hand is not wearing Gold but is a Godhead, Holy Trinity, and again is "Overshadowed" but by a "Veil of Flesh" - what Mary is weaving from the Scarlet Silk top left. To prove you're right about her being a Queen, The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew Chapter 8, the other virgins about Mary, " And thus saying, as it were in words of annoyance, they began to call her queen of virgins. While, however, they were so doing, the angel of the Lord appeared in the midst of them, saying: These words shall not have been uttered by way of annoyance, but prophesied as a prophecy most true." Just my Opinion but let me know what you think. Cheers!