The “True portrait” of the Patroness of Yucatan
In the collection of the “Juan Gamboa Guzmán” Yucatan State Gallery, in premises standing in the very heart of Merida, there is a fascinating yet little-known portrait of Our Lady of Izamal, a deeply entrenched object of devotion among Yucatecans. In 1648, her miraculous attributes led her to be acclaimed as advocate, patroness and protector of the then province of Yucatan.
The oil painting is categorized as “true painting”, an artistic genre which was widespread in New Spain, consisting of reproducing in paint or engraving images of Christ, the Virgin or other saints whose cults were particularly popular. This type of painting was usually done by painters of the second rank, or even simple craftsmen. The images tend to feature rich jewelry and sumptuous costumes, as a reflection of their fame and miraculous powers.
The image of the Virgin of Izamal is a full-length front view, in a rather solemn, rigid pose. The anonymous painter wanted to make clear that this was a portrait of a statue. Thick strands of pearls and precious stones adorn the dress and robe of the Virgin, who sits on a throne of engraved silver. On the pedestal is an inscription that mentions the year it was painted and the blessings with which it was enhanced. It was blessed on the 13th July 1769 by the bishop friar Antonio Alcalde, who granted 40 days indulgence to those of the faithful who prayed before the image. This ceremony took place in the church of the old Nuns’ Convent in Merida.
The piece also has a commemorative aspect, since it was painted during the sojourn of the Virgin of Izamal in the Yucatecan capital during June and July 1769. The purpose of the visit was a “public rogation” begging her intercession to relieve “the plague of countless locusts who were devastating the fields and stripping the forests of the province” and the “universal lamentation” of its inhabitants. It is worth noting that this painting depicts the original statue of Our Lady of Izamal, venerated since the 16th century in the monastery of St.Anthony of Padua in that town. This artwork was lost in a fire in 1829, and was replaced by the present sculpture.
The painting of Our Lady of Izamal is part of the permanent exhibition in the “Juan Gamboa Guzmán” Gallery, which is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday.
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