The Immaculate Conception

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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A young woman floats above a landscape, standing on a translucent moon and with a crown of 12 stars. This imagery is based on the New Testament Book of Revelation. In it, Saint John the Evangelist records his vision of the Woman of the Apocalypse, who bears a male child and is threatened by a dragon -- the devil.In the Catholic faith, this woman represents the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Her hands are clasped in prayer and she looks down in humility to show her protection over mankind. The garden, fountain, temple and ship at the bottom are all symbols normally associated with her and were included in a litany (or prayer) dedicated to the Virgin.With its companion painting, Saint John on the Island of Patmos, this is one of Velázquez's earliest known works.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Immaculate Conception

Date

1618-19

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 135 x W 101.6 cm

Accession number

NG6424

Acquisition method

Bought with the aid of The Art Fund, 1974

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

View venue