Our Lady of Antigua

This figure, considered the oldest Marian representation in Spanish territories, has its roots, according to various historians, in the 6th century CE, during the time when Seville was part of the Visigothic kingdom. 

As the story goes, the night before a battle against the Muslims, the king dreamt of the sculpture of the Virgin of the Kings, who foretold that the devotion to the image of the Antigua would ensure his success in the campaign. 

This prediction came true and consolidated the presence of this Virgin in the Hispanic monarchy. Besides, the devotion to the image quickly integrated into the Conquest of America, as the conquerors and other expedition members likely brought numerous reproductions with them. 

The significance of this devotion led the conquerors Martín Fernández de Enciso and Vasco Núñez de Balboa to establish, in 1510, the city of Santa María de la Antigua del Darién. This city was founded in the current Gulf of Urabá, in department of Chocó. 

This representation depicts the Virgin standing, holding a flower in her left hand, alluding to Mary as the “rose of thorns” or “rose of Jericho”. 

In her right arm, the Virgin carries the Child Jesus, who in turn holds a small bird symbolizing the soul, which Christ lovingly captivates in His hands. 

At the top of the painting, an angel holds a scroll with the inscription “AVE MARÍA GRA”, while two other angels, positioned on both sides of the composition, crown the Virgin. 

This oil painting is a true portrait, meaning a representation that aspires to meticulously imitate the original, in this case, the Sevillian painting. 

This Virgin is the patroness of Panama and numerous Spanish cities. Her image circulated throughout all the domains of the Hispanic monarchy, reaching even the Philippines and Japan.