Madonnina

Chamlee's warm-toned b&w photos on heavy, creamy paper stock take on a pleasantly meditative sameness as the pages roll past to record the "little Madonna" shrines of Tuscany. The icons--made by both folk artists and trained sculptors--in fact vary considerably in their details and their settings, in the countryside and in towns and villages. Chamlee traveled through the region in 2000 and 2001 and was drawn by the icons' ubiquity and beauty as well as the spirit of devotion they express. The images are introduced by an essay about the history and traditions of the Madonna shrines in Italy by the Italian scholar Giuliana Bianchi Caleri. Oversize: 9.25x10.25". Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)