Virgen de Guadalupe

The story of the apparition of the dark skinned Virgin who appeared to a humble Indian named Juan Diego on his way to mass across the Tepeyac hill in 1531, is one of the most famous examples of syncretism in the New World as Pierce and other colonial experts have remarked. According to oral tradition, the Virgin spoke in Náhuatl, the language of the Aztecs and addressed him by his name. Within a short time, according to the myth, the Virgin made several apparitions to him and asked him to deliver a message to the Bishop of Mexico--her wish to have a church built on the very spot where she had first revealed herself to Juan Diego. Although not supported by documentation, Bishop Zumárraga, ordered the constructution of a sanctuary on the hill of Tepeyac upon seeing Castillian roses drop from Juan Diego's tilma (cloak) and seeing her image imprinted on the very cloth. The story led to the spread of her devotion as she became popular with both Indian and other groups throughout Mexico. Indeed over the centuries, her image has embodied the Mexican nation itself regardless of social and ethnic backgrounds.

In this large painting, the image of the Virgin dominates the scene as she is depicted with golden rays emanating from her silhouette. Her apparitions to Juan Diego are also illustrated on three of the corners of the composition while the last scene depicts Bishop Zumárraga kneeling at her revealed image. Lavishly decorated with painted roses and appliqued scroll-like motifs, the composition is visually appealing and majestic.