Keywords: Madonna catacomb.jpg author Image of the Virgin Mary mother of Jesus in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome It depicts her nursing the Infant Jesus This is earliest known image of Mary and the Infant Jesus independent of the Magi episode The figure at the left appears to be the prophet Balaam pointing to a star outside the frame The star is from Numbers 24 17 Late otherdate century 2 Fresco cm object history exhibition history credit line The emphasis on the maternal love of Mary for the Child Jesus reflects the early Christian community's reverence for the Mother of God and for its understanding of God's love for humankind in sending His only Son to earth to share in our humanity http //campus belmont edu/honors/catacombs/catacombs htm accession number place of creation adapted from the quoted page PD-Art Catacombe di Priscilla Frescos of Madonna and Child in Rome Bileam 2nd century Mariology |