Madonna and Child

One of the most common depictions in Romanesque sculpture is the group formed by the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus. Marian devotion grew in popularity in the 7th century, helped by the Cistercian monasteries' worship of Mary. This led to a boom in dedications and inscriptions in the territories they won over, creating fervor and devotion in the population. The Virgin of Agüero is a Throne of Wisdom Madonna, typical of the 7th century. Mary sits on a throne, providing a seat for the Child, who is depicted as the supreme wisdom. They are carved as two separate figures. It is carved in the traditional Romanesque style, the figures facing stiffly forward with a formal appearance, and wearing the typical clothing of the time. Mary is holding her son's leg protectively with her left hand, showing a certain level of closeness between them—a modern characteristic that would become more prominent in the images of the 8th century. The polychromatic stripes of gold and gules (heraldic red) on either side of the throne symbolize the Royal House of Aragon.