Virgin and Child Sheltering Supplicants Under Her Cloak (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas
- The Virgin Mary is depicted as the “Madonna of Mercy” who protects faithful Catholics.
- This sculpture is carved out of lindenwood painted with gold and silver leaf. During the 15th century, these would have been very expensive art materials.
- This depiction of the Virgin Mary was a common religious symbol in monastic orders (places where monks live and pray) and charities. She is depicted as a person who helps and protects people.
- Symbols that identify the Virgin Mary include the gold fleurs-de-lis (lily flowers), the colors of her clothing, and the crescent moon on which she stands.
Learn More
The image of the Virgin Mary protecting faithful Catholics under her cloak is known as the “Madonna of Mercy.” The term refers to the Virgin Mary’s role in Catholic theology as an intercessor, or someone who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer. She is always ready to plead to Christ for mercy on behalf of those in physical or spiritual distress. In the Middle Ages, the Madonna of Mercy was popular among members of monastic orders (monks) as well as charities made up of men with nonreligious jobs.
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary sheltering members of the spiritual estate on one side of her cloak: a pope, a cardinal, and a bishop can be identified by their distinctive hats. On the other side are members of the secular estate, including an emperor and knights. Held up high against his mother’s chest and shoulder, the Christ Child makes a gesture of blessing and holds an apple. The apple symbolizes his role as the “New Adam” who saves humankind from the consequences of sin.
Mary’s white gown is lined with blue and decorated with gold fleurs-de-lis (lily flowers) as symbols of her purity. She stands on a crescent moon covered in a layer of silver leaf. Most of the silver leaf has worn away, revealing a layer of red paint beneath the metal. The moon symbolizes Mary’s role as the Queen of Heaven. It also represents the vision of the “Apocalyptic Woman” described in the Revelation of St. John: “A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1).
tags: symbolism, pattern, ritual, power, order, meaning, interdependence
Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers:
- Read a short article about the Madonna of Mercy tradition in art.
- Read another short article about sculpture-making trends during the late medieval period in Germany.
- Read a blog post about symbols used to identify the Virgin Mary in works of art.
Resources for Students:
- Explore a creative activity from METKids inspired by another “Virgin and Child” sculpture.
- Watch a video that offers step-by-step instructions on how to sculpt a person.
- View a stained-glass artwork that depicts the Madonna of Mercy.
Images
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Virgin and Child Sheltering Supplicants Under Her Cloak