Immaculate Conception
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Immaculate Conception , Virgin , Madonna , Mary , Book of Revelation , Conception
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Abstract
In the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament in Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome stands a wooden polychrome statue of the Immaculate Conception, attributed to Neapolitan craftsmanship. This representation reflects the Roman Catholic doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived free from original sin. She is depicted as the woman of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation, standing on a crescent moon symbolizing the world she protects and guides, and crushing a snake beneath her feet, referencing her triumph over sin.
The statue dates to the eighteenth century and was installed on the altar in 1722. Its polychromy is richly executed, complementing the elaborate imitation marble decoration of the surrounding altar. While the vibrant paintwork may be modern, the statue’s recent modification to include a halo of light bulbs suggests ongoing devotion and adaptation to contemporary devotional practices.
Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Description
Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome
Citation
Laura Russo, Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Rome: Ellio de Rosa editore, 2007), 99-102.