Patronage of the Virgin of Guadalupe

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Patronage of the Virgin of Guadalupe

This canvas is an allegory with a repertoire of symbols full of special meanings for the friars of the College. The iconography summarizes the main Franciscan devotions: Saint Joseph and the Virgin of Guadalupe, patrons of New Spain, she in turn patron of the College; Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the order; the Holy Trinity that presents the divine unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and Saint Michael the Archangel, also patron of this College. The Virgin is located in the center and unites the Franciscan work on earth with heaven; She is supported by Saint Francis, as he protects the friars from Spain and the founders of the College with his cape. The main figure in the painting is the Guadalupana, to whom Miguel Cabrera had special devotion, since he was the one who studied Juan Diego's tilma in 1751 in order to confirm the divine origin of the canvas.

Miguel Cabrera 1693-1768

Easel painting. Oil on canvas. Guadalupe Museum, Zacatecas, Mexico