Our Lady of Conception

Madonnas in Indian style were Ângela’s favourite subject, one that granted a new vitality and meaning to an old western concept of religious art. The artist’ soul striking portraits of Our Lady, tinged with local colours, brought her international fame and in 1955 the Papal decoration Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice, for her contribution to the world of art and culture through Christian art in Indian style.
In her more then dozen Madonnas, the artist often replaced the statuesque pose of the Virgin in Western iconography with Indian Mudras. These gestures or poses are part of tantric rituals and widely understood by Indian folk, being therefore an effective means of conveying what words or expression cannot. In this particular image, the right hand of Mary is in a teaching position and left in a pose of liberation.
As seen in this particular painting, Ângela often included the lotus in her painting, instead of the lily, as symbol of purity of mind and heart. Trindade depicted Mary as the queen standing on top of the world, over a crescent moon, symbolising her glory and victory over time and space, and a snake under her foot, embodying her freedom from the burden of original sin. Her mystifying almond eyes, head ornaments and jewellery, together with a sari in blue and gold shades are absolutely majestic and undoubtedly Indian.
References: Gracias, Fátima, Ângela Trindade: A Trinity of Light, Colour and Emotion, Panjim, Goa, Fundação Oriente, 2016.