1994.37.2 The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception

According to Roman Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ, was conceived free of original sin, the condition of sinfulness and separation from God into which all humanity is born. The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin began appearing as a subject in art in 17th-century Spain, and from there it spread into the Spanish colonies of the New World.

The artist has adapted the vision of St. John, as expressed in Revelations 12:1:"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." The Virgin is flanked by her parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne, who hold branches representing the Tree of Jesse, the symbol of the Virgin's earthly forebears. Meanwhile, the tiny figures of Adam and Eve in the background allude to the fall of humanity from grace, thanks to temptation by Satan, indicated here by the seven-headed dragon at the bottom of the canvas. As the New Eve, however, born without sin and the mother of the savior of humanity, the Virgin triumphs over Satan, represented by her dominant position at the center of the canvas.

Peru (nation): TGN: 1000056

Cuzco: TGN: 7005819

painting (visual works): AAT: 300033618

eighteenth century: AAT: 300404512

Spanish Colonial (Spanish Renaissance-Baroque styles / styles and periods): AAT: 300107033

Bible_New Testament: DMA

colonies: AAT: 300235115

devils (spirits): AAT: 300379005

dragons (mythical beings): AAT: 300375726

immaculate conception (Christian doctrinal concept): AAT: 300066049

moon: AAT: 300386951

Roman Catholicism (Christianity): AAT: 300073730

sin (religious concepts): AAT: 300309064

Spain (nation): TGN: 1000095

Spanish Colonial (Spanish Renaissance-Baroque styles / styles and periods): AAT: 300107033

stars (extraterrestrial bodies): AAT: 300387654

suns (stars): AAT: 300379806

temptations: AAT: 300404325

Virgin Birth (Christian): DMA

Virgin Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary / Christian figure): DMA

Before 1956: Cleofas de la Garza (1870-1956) and Celia de la Garza 

By 1994: Virginia de la Garza and Mary de la Garza-Hanna, by descent from the above

1994: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Virginia de la Garza and Mary de la Garza-Hanna, and an anonymous donor 

The main source for this provenance is a letter from Eleanor Jones Harvey of the Dallas Museum of Art to Virginia de la Garza and Mary de la Garza-Hanna, dated June 16, 1994, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File. 

Apply to objects where number equals 1994.37.2