Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

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Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

c. 1820-1850

Artist/maker unknown, American

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was one of the most popular and powerful religious images in Latin America, appearing in many different roles. Here she is shown as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, a manifestation of the Roman Catholic doctrine that Mary was, from her conception, without original sin. She can be identified through the iconography usually associated with the subject, which includes her hands folded in prayer, the cloud and the moon on which she stands, and the stars that surround her head. In this image, as in others produced in New Mexico, the Madonna is presented in a way that emphasizes her purity and gentleness, and thus her accessibility to the ordinary person.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Date:

c. 1820-1850

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, American

Medium:

Water-based paint on wood panel

Dimensions:

13 x 8 5/8 inches (33 x 21.9 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

The Louise and Walter Arensberg Collection, 1950

Accession Number:

1950-134-826

Geography:

Probably made in New Mexico, United States, North and Central America

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Currently not on view

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