The Virgin of the Rosary (I)

In the mid-sixteenth century the Spanish painter Alonso de Narvaez created a portrait of the Virgin of the Rosary. He painted on a cloth woven by Indians in pigments from the soil and herbs of the region. The image of Mary is about a meter high. She has a sweet smile, both her face and the Child's are light colored, and she seems to be about to take a step. She wears a white toque, a rose-colored robe, and a sky blue cape. A rosary hangs from the little finger of her left hand, and she holds a scepter in her right. She holds the Christ Child craddled in her left arm, and looks toward Him. Christ has a little bird tied to his thumb, and a small rosary hangs from His left hand. In 1562 the portrait was placed in a rustic chapel. It was exposed to the air, the roof leaked, and soon the damage caused by the humidity and sun completely obscured the image. In 1577 the damaged painting was moved to Chiquinquirá and stored in an unused room. In 1585 Maria Ramos, a pious woman from Seville, cleaned up the little chapel, and hung the faded canvas in it. Though the image was in terrible shape, she loved to sit and contemplate it.