WST 110: Isis & Osiris

LEAD: AT THE MARIAN GOODMAN GAL-lery, 24 West 57th Street, there can be seen through June 4 an exhibition, that is not like any other. In the big room, there are exactly two paintings, on the theme of Isis and Osiris. One measures roughly 11 feet by 18 feet. The other is a little larger. They are huge, therefore, and they are also dense and dark and, at first sight, cryptic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As Christianity developed and its Mariological vision expanded, it absorbed many images from the goddesses of the Mediterranean world. Isis was a popular Egyptian goddess who was associated with seated image of herself with baby Horus on her lap.