Lot Essay
In the late 15th Century, the doctrine of the Virgin's immaculacy was strongly promoted by the Franciscan order, especially under Pope Sixtus IV, himself a Franciscan. It was widely depicted during the 16th century, especially in Spain, and an iconography representing the Immaculate Conception was developed: the Virgin is shown in glory, surrounded by a number of attributes drawn from a variety of biblical texts which were associated with her immaculacy.
In the present work, the main biblical source is the Song of Songs, and the images that describe the Shulammite maiden in that book are applied to the Virgin. The following symbols are used: 'The Lily [among Thorns]' (II, 2), 'A Well of living Waters' (IV, 15), 'Fountain of Gardens' (IV, 15), 'A Garden close-locked' (IV, 12), 'Tower of David' (IV, 4), and the palm tree (VII, 7). Also depicted are, from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, a 'Plantation of Roses' (XXIV, 18) and 'The closed Gate' (IV,12). The mirror derives from the Book of Wisdom, 'She is...the flawless mirror of the active power of God and the image of his goodness' (VII, 26).
In the present work, the main biblical source is the Song of Songs, and the images that describe the Shulammite maiden in that book are applied to the Virgin. The following symbols are used: 'The Lily [among Thorns]' (II, 2), 'A Well of living Waters' (IV, 15), 'Fountain of Gardens' (IV, 15), 'A Garden close-locked' (IV, 12), 'Tower of David' (IV, 4), and the palm tree (VII, 7). Also depicted are, from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, a 'Plantation of Roses' (XXIV, 18) and 'The closed Gate' (IV,12). The mirror derives from the Book of Wisdom, 'She is...the flawless mirror of the active power of God and the image of his goodness' (VII, 26).