A rich tradition of painting in the New World revolved around depicting the Virgin Mary in various phases of her life, utilizing styles unique to the Southwest and other locales in the Americas. Historical perspectives, stylistic traditions, and cultural values.are explored through images of Mary and the Holy Family in a lavishly-illustrated new book.

"Painting the Divine: Images of Mary in the New World," published by Fresco Books in Albuquerque, N.M., showcases about 45 full-color images of historic paintings and statues of Mary from a private collection, along with another dozen by contemporary artists.

Religion, culture, and the geography of regions in the Americas come into focus in such works as "Our Lady of the War Club", which records the vision of an ill young woman who had a vision that her land would be destroyed by Indians.