Description
Statue of the crowned Virgin Mary, kneeling with a foot on the serpent on a globe, with a blank scroll. Above her two angels and the Eye of Providence.
Annotation
This statue represents the struggle between God (the halo of clouds on top with in the centre a triangle with the all-seeing eye) and evil (the serpent below). Mary is the chosen one to assist in God's plan of freeing the world from the power of evil. The whole attitude of Mary expresses how she is ready for what God desires. Kneeling, beaten down eyes, the right hand open and the left on her chest, she humbly accepts her election. Her heavenly reward is symbolized by the two angels that float on her shoulder height. Originally one offered her the scepter (or a lily?) and the other the crown.
The statue is very probably the work of Walter Pompe and was made for the former St. Jacobs-chapel. After demolition of the chapel, it is in 1891 replaced the house on the oppiste corner of the former chapel. In 2010 it is restored.
Depictions of Saint Mary
Saint Mary, as the mother of Jesus Christ, has a central role in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic veneration of her as the Blessed Virgin Mary has grown over time both in importance and manifestation, not only in prayer but in art, poetry and music.
She is usually depicted as a beautiful young woman, with a (blue) mantle. In the majority of the depictions she is having the Infant Jesus in her arms or on her lap.
Attributes of Saint Mary:
- A crown of 12 stars (Relevation 12:1), sometimes 7 stars.
- A royal crown, sometimes also a scepter: Mary Queen of Heaven.
- Standing on a globe.
- Standing on the crescent moon (Relevation 12:1).
- Crushing the serpent (sometimes a dragon) under her feet. The serpent can have an apple in his mouth (Genesis 3:15). A special depiction is where Jesus impales the serpent with a spear-cross.
- Flowers: Lily (symbol of virginity and purity), roses (Mary's mystical participation in the Holy Trinity as Heaven's Rose or Mystical Rose), iris or "Sword Lily" (emblem of Our Lady's Seven Sorrows), fleur-de-lis (resembling both the Iris and the Madonna Lily)
The Infant Jesus sometimes has some attributes too:
- a crown and/or a royal orb (usually in combination with Mary as Queen of Heaven)
- making a blessing gesture
Sculptor
Sources & Information
- Wim Strecker et al., Madonna en heiligenbeelden in de Antwerpse binnenstad (Antwerpen: Voor Kruis en Beeld vzw/BAI, 2010), nr. 82 (zie ook Website).
Tags
Locatie (N 51°13'16" - E 4°24'37") (Satellite view: Google Maps)
Item Code: bean015; Photograph: 25 March 2011
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
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© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt
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