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Artist Unknown (Mexican, 18th century),
Our Lady of Guadalupe
, 18th century
oil on copper, 16 7/8 x 12 7/8 in.; 42.9 x 32.7 cm
Gift of E. Kingman, 1957.113
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most venerated religious image in Mexican culture. According to tradition, in 1531 the Virgin Mary twice appeared to an Indian named Juan Diego near Mexico City, instructing him to have the bishop of Mexico build a church at the spot. When presented to the bishop, roses that Juan Diego had been told to carry in his tilma (cloak) fell out and a miraculous image of the Virgin, clothed in the sun and standing on the moon, was found imprinted on the garment. This image, preserved in the Basilica of Guadalupe, became the model for countless copies, such as this one.
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