Our Lady of Guápulo 1700 - 1800

This colonial painting presents us with Our Lady of Guápulo, adorned in opulent robes and a resplendent crown, holding the Christ Child. The roses in her left hand, traditionally symbols of love and beauty, here represent the Virgin Mary. The crowns, of course, signify royalty, but also a spiritual authority recognized and revered across cultures. Interestingly, this motif of the crowned Madonna, recurs through centuries. From the Byzantine empresses of Constantinople to the Renaissance Madonnas, the crown speaks of divine sanction and power. Consider the rosary: a string of beads used for prayer and contemplation. Its presence here links to cyclical time, a repetitive rhythm of devotion that mirrors nature's seasons. A cycle of human longing, devotion, and hope. Think of the emotional comfort these recurring images bring. Indeed, such symbols persist, because they touch something deep within us. They have been passed down, evolved, resurfaced, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.