Black Madonna - Wikipedia

The term Black Madonna or Black Virgin tends to refer to statues or paintings in Western Christendom of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, where both figures are depicted as black. The Black Madonna can be found both in Catholic and Orthodox countries.

Black Madonna of Outremeuse,

Liège

, in a procession

Madonna at House of the Black Madonna, Prague

The paintings are usually icons which are Byzantine in origin or style, some made in 13th- or 14th-century Italy, others are older and from the Middle East, Caucasus or Africa, mainly Egypt and Ethiopia. Statues are often made of wood but occasionally made of stone, painted and up to 75 cm (30 in) tall. They fall into two main groups: free-standing upright figures or seated figures on a throne. There are about 400–500 Black Madonnas in Europe, depending on how they are classified. There are at least 180 Vierges Noires in Southern France alone, and there are hundreds of non-medieval copies as well. Some are in museums, but most are in churches or shrines and are venerated by believers. Some are associated with miracles and attract substantial numbers of pilgrims.

Black Madonnas come in different forms, and the speculations behind the reason for the dark hue of each individual icon or statue vary greatly and are not without controversy. Though some Madonnas were originally black or brown when they were made, others have simply turned darker due to factors like ageing or candle smoke. The Jungian scholar, Ean Begg, has conducted a study into the potential pagan origins of the cult of the black madonna and child.[1] Another speculated cause for the dark-skinned depiction is due to pre-Christian deities being re-envisioned as the Madonna and child.[2]

Studies and research Edit

Research into the Black Madonna phenomenon is limited due to a wide consensus among scholars that the dark-skinned aspect was unintentional.[citation needed ] Begg has a different view: he links the recurring refrain from the Song of Solomon, ‘I am black, and I am beautiful’ to the Queen of Sheba.[1] Recently, however, interest in this subject has gathered more momentum.

Important early studies of dark-skinned holy images in France were by Camille Flammarion (1888),[3] Marie Durand-Lefebvre (1937), Emile Saillens (1945), and Jacques Huynen (1972). The first notable study of the origin and meaning of the Black Madonnas in English appears to have been presented by Leonard Moss at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on December 28, 1952. Moss broke the images into three categories: (1) dark brown or black Madonnas with physiognomy and skin pigmentation matching that of the indigenous population; (2) various art forms that have turned black as a result of certain physical factors such as deterioration of lead-based pigments, accumulated smoke from the use of votive candles, and accumulation of grime over the ages, and (3) residual category with no ready explanation.[4] [5]

In the cathedral at Chartres, there were two Black Madonnas: Notre Dame de Pilar, a 1508 dark walnut copy of a 13th-century silver Madonna, standing atop a high pillar, surrounded by candles; and Notre Dame de Sous-Terre, a replica of an original destroyed during the French Revolution. Restoration work on the cathedral resulted in the painting of Notre Dame de Pilar, to reflect an earlier 19th century painted style, rendering the statue no longer a "Black Madonna".[6][7]

Some scholars chose to investigate the significance of the dark-skinned complexion to pilgrims and worshipers rather than focus on whether or not this depiction was intentional. This is an important subject because many Black Madonnas turn the shrines in which they are housed into some of the most revered pilgrimage sites, by virtue of their presence. Monique Scheer, one of these scholars, attributes the importance of the dark-skinned depiction to its connection with authenticity. The reason for this connection is the perceived age of the figures and the idea that these depictions are more accurate to historical Mary since many of the works are eastern in origin and since Mary herself likely had dark skin.[8]

List of Black Madonnas Edit

Africa Edit

 

Mary and child icon,

Sinai

, 6th century

 

Our Lady of Guidance, Manila

Asia Edit

Japan Edit

 

Black Madonna at Catholic Tsuruoka Church,Japan

The Philippines Edit

Europe Edit

Austria Edit

Belgium Edit

Croatia Edit

Czech Republic Edit

France Edit

 

Black Madonna of Toulouse

Germany Edit

Greece Edit

Hidden church of the Black Madonna, Vamos, Crete

Hungary Edit

Ireland Edit

Italy Edit

  Tindari

Madonna Bruna: restoration work in the 1990s found a medieval statue with later additions.

Nigra sum sed formosa

, meaning "I am black but beautiful" (from the

Song of Songs

, 1:5), is inscribed round a newer base.

N I G E R
I N A R E
G A L A G
E R A N I
R E G I N

Kosovo Edit

Lithuania Edit

Luxembourg Edit

Macedonia Edit

Malta Edit

Poland Edit

Portugal Edit

Romania Edit

Russia Edit

Serbia Edit

Slovenia Edit

Spain Edit

Sweden Edit

Switzerland Edit

Turkey Edit

Three icons portraying the Theotokos with black skin survived in Turkey to the present day, one of which is housed in the church of Halki theological seminary.

Ukraine Edit

United Kingdom Edit

The Americas Edit

Brazil Edit

Chile Edit

Costa Rica Edit

Cuba Edit

Trinidad and Tobago Edit

United States Edit

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ a b Begg, Ean (2017). The Cult of the Black Virgin. Chiron Publications. ISBN 978-1630514419.
  2. ^ Moss, Leonard W.; Cappannari, Stephen C. (1953). "The Black Madonna: An Example of Culture Borrowing". The Scientific Monthly. 76 (6): 319–324. Bibcode:1953SciMo..76..319M. ISSN 0096-3771. JSTOR 20482.
  3. ^ L'Atmosphère : Météorologie populaire (1888), édition avec gravures fr.
  4. ^ "Black Madonnas: Origin, History, Controversy". udayton.edu. The Jungian scholar, San Begg published a study of Black Virgins and their possible pagan origins.
  5. ^ Begg, Ean (2006). The Cult of the Black Virgin. Chiron Publications. ISBN 9781888602395.
  6. ^ Filler, Martin "A Scandalous Makeover at Chartres", The New York Review of Books, December 14, 2014
  7. ^ Ramm, Benjamin. "A Controversial Restoration That Wipes Away the Past", The New York Times, September 1, 2017
  8. ^ Scheer, Monique (2002). "From Majesty to Mystery: Change in the Meanings of Black Madonnas from the Sixteenth to Nineteenth Centuries". The American Historical Review. 107 (5): 1412–1440. doi:10.1086/532852. JSTOR 10.1086/532852.
  9. ^ "Algiers". interfaithmary.net.
  10. ^ "Senegal". interfaithmary.net.
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  12. ^ "Experiencetsuruoka.com". Archived from the original on 2017-09-03 . Retrieved 2017-09-03 .
  13. ^ Baybay, Felicito S., "Patron Ng Kapayapaan At Mga Manlalakbay" Archived 2014-08-08 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ KD. "Our Lady Of The Rule National Shrine – Quirks of Life". quirksoflife.com.
  15. ^ Darang, Josephine. "Special Mass for Our Lady of Piat held July 9 at Sto. Domingo Church", Philippine Daily Enquirer, June 26, 2011
  16. ^ "Your Question". udayton.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-02-19 . Retrieved 2014-08-06 .
  17. ^ "Brno – The Black Madonna". brno.cz. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28 . Retrieved 2013-08-16 .
  18. ^ "Church of Our Lady Below the Chain in Prague", Prague.cz Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Channell, J., "Notre-Dame des Graces", Aix-en-Provence
  20. ^ "Black Virgin of Aurillac". amigo.net. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008.
  21. ^ The New York Times
  22. ^ "Notre Dame de Clermont". 2007-12-19. Archived from the original on 2007-12-19 . Retrieved 2009-07-25 .
  23. ^ "Douvres". interfaithmary.net.
  24. ^ "Notre Dame de La Chapelle Geneste". amigo.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008.
  25. ^ "Notre Dame du Puy, Cathedrale...: Photo by Photographer Dennis Aubrey". photo.net. 2007-11-09. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07 . Retrieved 2009-07-25 .
  26. ^ "Black Virgin of Marseilles". amigo.net. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008.
  27. ^ "Black Virgin of Mauriac". amigo.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008.
  28. ^ "Meymac". interfaithmary.net.
  29. ^ Mariancalendar.org
  30. ^ "Black Virgin of Riom". amigo.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008.
  31. ^ "The Sanctuaries". visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-07-05 . Retrieved 2014-08-06 .
  32. ^ Garth Cartwright (2011-03-26). "Partying with the Gypsies in the Camargue". the Guardian.
  33. ^ "Gypsy's Pilgrimage – Les Saintes Maries de la Mer – Camargue – France". avignon-et-provence.com.
  34. ^ "Notre Dame du Château". amigo.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008.
  35. ^ "Vierge des Croisades". 2007-12-19. Archived from the original on 2007-12-19 . Retrieved 2009-07-25 .
  36. ^ Vanished Kingdoms: The History of Half-Forgotten Europe, Norman Davies
  37. ^ Maria Farneti and Bruno Bartoletti, “Gubbio: The Italian Rennes-le-Chateau”, 'Hera', issue 43, September 2005
  38. ^ Gubbio e il mysterious del “NIGER REGIN”
  39. ^ “IL MONTE TEMPIO E LA PIRAMIDE DI GUBBIO” by Mario Farneti & Bruno Bartoletti
  40. ^ https://literia.pl/ksiazka-czarna-madonna-978-83-7976-710-6
  41. ^ https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-tel-aviv-icon-black-madonna-st-peters-church-old-jaffa-unknown-artist-end-cent-image56128953
  42. ^ https://www.123rf.com/photo_41648797_tel-aviv-israel-march-2-2015-the-icon-of-black-madonna-from-st-peters-church-in-old-jaffa-by-unknown.html
  43. ^ https://stock.adobe.com/pl/images/tel-aviv-icon-of-black-madonna-from-st-peters-church/86100805
  44. ^ https://pixers.uk/posters/jerusalem-mosaic-of-madonna-in-dormition-abbey-81580365
  45. ^ https://pixers.uk/stickers/jerusalem-mosaic-of-madonna-in-dormition-abbey-81580365
  46. ^ Dhalai, Richard, "La Divina Pastora", Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, March 19, 2007
  47. ^ Nationaltrust.tt

Sources Edit

External links Edit

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Madonna