Madonna of Mercy
Anonymous Peruvian Artist, Cuzco School, 18-19th century
When Spanish missionaries came to South America, they
brought with them paintings and prints as tools of evangelization. Part of the missionary plan was the
establishment of studios where European artists taught native peoples to
produce devotional works of art. The greatest of these schools was in Cuzco,
Peru. Eventually, the indigenous artists developed their own unique styles and
understanding of the scenes they depicted.
This Cusqueña Madonna is an example of their work. Instead of the cool,
ethereal blues so common in European works, Mary is robed in rich, warm earth
tones. Rather than a placid Italian
landscape, we see an Indian village set among tropical trees and birds.
Life-giving water falls down from the mountains to water the valley where Mary
hovers above the ground as spring flowers grow at her feet.
The icon of Mary in a voluminous cloak is called the Madonna
of Mercy. Her robe, richly embroidered
with roses, recalls Jesus’ lament in Matthew 23:37 “How often I wanted to
gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her
wings, and you were unwilling.” As Mary’s children, we are invited to find
shelter in her protection and mercy under her loving “wings.”
No comments:
Post a Comment