By Colonial Museum
Manuel de Samaniego (attributed)
Divine Shepherdess (Siglo XIX) by Manuel de SamaniegoColonial Museum
The Marian advocation of the Divine Shepherdess of Souls had its origins in the early 18th century in Spain. It is said that the Capuchin Isidore of Seville (1662-1750) had a vision in which the Virgin, dressed as a shepherdess, asked him to represent her in that way.
The religious commissioned the painting to the renowned Spanish artist Alonso Miguel de Tovar (1678-1758). The image was shown to the faithfuls on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin of 1705 and generated in them a strong devotion.
The image of the Divine Shepherdess takes up the iconographic tradition of the Good Shepherd, in which Christ is shown taking care of his sheep, animals that symbolize the faithful and that seek to be guided on the right path.
In the iconography of the Divine Shepherdess, the figure of Christ has been exchanged for that of the Virgin, who appears seated, wearing a pink tunic and a blue mantle. A crosier on her left side and a hat on her back, complete the outfit. A flock of sheep surrounds her.
The sheep offer red roses to the Shepherdess, who holds two of them in her left hand. These flowers commonly associated with the figure of the Virgin, allude to her pain as the mother of Christ, and, in turn, refer to the Passion.
Towards the bottom of the composition, we see a sheep away from the flock; from it comes out a phylactery with the text “Ave Maria”. A wolf, a symbol of heresy and evil for the Catholic religion, pursues it.
Seeing the sheep in danger, the Archangel Michael, recognizable by his shield and armor, flies over the animals and throws a red lightning bolt at the wolf to stop his attack.
Over the Virgin, fly two small angels who are about to gird her with a crown decorated with countless jewels. This detail reinforces the holy character of the Shepherdess.
The invocation of the Divine Shepherdess expanded throughout the American continent and had a special reception in Venezuela, where she is the national patroness. That is why there, every January 14, a multitudinous procession in her honor takes place.
On the contrary, in what is now Colombia, this invocation had scarcely reception, so few images survive today in this territory. Of these, most are paintings.
The Divine Shepherdess
Manuel de Samaniego (attributed)
Oil on canvas
123 x 104 cm
19th century
Créditos
MUSEOS COLONIAL Y SANTA CLARA
Museum Director
María Constanza Toquica Clavijo
Museology
María Alejandra Malagón Quintero
Curation
Anamaría Torres Rodríguez
María Isabel Téllez Colmenares
Collection Management
Paula Ximena Guzmán López
Editorial
Tanit Barragán Montilla
Communications
Jhonatan Chinchilla Pérez
