The Virgin of Guadalupe: The History and Legacy of One of the Catholic Church’s Most Venerated Images

Description

No other artwork in the world is comparable to the Virgin of Guadalupe. What makes this painting unique — located in the Basilica of Guadalupe, north of Mexico City — is not precisely its artistic quality, as is the case with the Mona Lisa by Leonardo or The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, nor its place in the evolution of painting. It clearly does not constitute a landmark in art history, and the most visited painting in the world is certainly not the summit or the harbinger of a new aesthetic movement, like Dali´s melting watches or Van Gogh´s Starry Night. In fact, for some, the execution of the image is coarse and all its elements fit well known techniques. For others, it´s merely a copy of a sculpture of the Virgin found in Spain. What distinguishes the Virgin of Guadalupe of Mexico is her universality: unlike any work of art in the world, it can be recognized by any local; it´s certainly the most ubiquitous symbol in her country. Her influence has spread even to the Mexican diaspora, where it has become a sign of identity, pride and resistance among undocumented immigrants in the United States. For Mexicans, it´s not necessary to be religious to believe in the power of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a unifying symbol and embodiment of national identity.