A RARE collection of international art featuring the Madonna is on show in the new Francis Rush Centre, next to St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane.
The 48 artworks, comprising paintings, sculptures and icons, are part of a Brisbane private collection which has never been on public display before.
Curator Jeanette Gilfedder said the age of the works spanned the 13th to the 20th century and they were sourced from countries including Mexico, Austria, Hungary, Germany and Australia.
Among the more unsual pieces is a Russian icon featuring Our Lady with three hands, an image often used in healing.
There is also a large Mexican timber statue of the Madonna and Child carried by angels and an Ethiopian Bible richly illustrated with icons.
The exhibition is open from 10am-3pm every day until September 8.
