The Miracle of Saint Dominic in Soriano

In colonial America, it was customary to portray scenes from the lives of Christendom’s most important saints. One of them is depicted in this image. 

According to The Golden Legend written by Santiago de la Voragine, around 1530, the Virgin appeared to a brother of the convent of Soriano who asked in fervent prayer to know how Saint Dominic, to whom he was very devoted, looks like. 

This Dominican priest is depicted in the lower corner of the composition, kneeling, with his arms outstretched and his gaze towards the Virgin. The white tunic and black mantle that he wears are the garments of the Dominican habit.  

Mary, dressed in the pink robe and blue mantle with which she is usually depicted, points to the portrait of the founder of the Order of Preachers, Saint Dominic de Guzman.  

It is said that the portrait of Saint Dominic depicted in the painting was preserved after its appearance in the church of San Romano in Lucca, Italy. 

Dominic is dressed in the habit of his order. A black rosary hangs from his neck, and a halo of light, a sign of his holiness, surrounds his head. Among the attributes that allow us to distinguish it is the bouquet of lilies, a symbol of purity, which the Saint holds in his left hand.

In the opposite hand, he holds a Bible, the source of Dominic’s preaching and spirituality. This attribute shows the importance of the Church in the popularization of the Catholic religion and the constant work of the Dominican to spread its principles. 

Saint Catherine of Siena, who in this image can only be distinguished by the halo and crown that adorns her head, holds the portrait of Saint Dominic.

On the right of the image, Mary Magdalene looks at the viewer. The halo above her head and, above all, the alabastron, a bottle of perfume that she holds in one of her hands, allow us to recognize her.