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Nuestra Senora de Guadelupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

American Art

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe typifies how imported religious traditions were adapted to local circumstances in New World colonies. In 1531 an indigenous convert named Juan Diego experienced a vision in which the Virgin Mary appeared to him as a native woman and instructed him to have the bishop build a church in her honor. The bishop reacted with skepticism until the Virgin miraculously made roses grow out of season and her image materialized on Diego’s cloak. That picture was widely copied— as in this humble example—and became the quin- tessential symbol of Mexico during its struggle for independence in the nineteenth century.
CULTURE Mexican
MEDIUM Oil and gold leaf on canvas
  • Place Made: Mexico
  • DATES 19th century
    DIMENSIONS 6 7/8 x 4 3/4 in. (17.5 x 12.1 cm)
    COLLECTIONS American Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 45.128.11
    CREDIT LINE Henry L. Batterman Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Virgin of Guadalupe in center surrounded by garlands of pink roses. Juan Diego stands with cloak of flowers in lower left corner.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    RECORD COMPLETENESS
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