Our Lady Refuge of Sinners: Iconography

Our Lady Refuge of Sinners

18th century
Oil on canvas
Tucson Museum of Art

The first example of this iconographic type was brought from Italy to Mexico in 1709 and was popular there and in New Mexico in the 18th and 19th centuries.1 Unusually, the Madonna is pictured wearing jewelry. In this example she has a necklace and ring; in most others she also has earrings.

In this type the mother is pictured half-height and the child stands on her lap, grasping her right thumb with his left hand. Both wear crowns. Behind their heads is a burst of light and sometimes also a ring of stars. Mary wears blue, and the background will also be blue. Usually they both return the gaze of the viewer.

ALSO SEE

Zarur and Lovell, 21-26 and figures 47-58, provide a description and commentary on the type.
The Tucson Museum of Art gives technical details and a brief commentary at this page (retrieved 2021-12-28).

Read more about images of the Madonna and Child.

Source: this page at Wikimedia Commons..

1 Zarur and Lovell, 24.