The Virgin Mary kneeling during the Nativity of Christ
Year mention: 1617
Subject:
Nativity of Christ
Conflict:
Not corresponding with Church teaching/dogma
Criticism:

Images of the Virgin Mary kneeling before the infant Jesus are allowed

Agent:
Molanus, Johannes
Hans Kamensetzer - Birth of Christ, c. 1470
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.25487

In book 2, chapter 27, Molanus discusses images of the Virgin Mary that contain an error but do not pose a real danger. The chapter thus fits in the greater scheme created by the author in the work in which he categorises images and the errors they contain and whether these are to be condemned or not and according to what or whom. An important source for his judgement is the judgement of the Council of Trent, as in several instances of the chapter Molanus creates a relation between the text from the Council of Trent and the meaning of this specific motif.
The second case presented in this chapter is the depiction of the Nativity of Christ in which the Blessed Virgin Mary kneeling in front of the infant and adoring him.

“On the other hand, one can approve without reservation those paintings of the Nativity of Christ where the Blessed Virgin Mary herself is painted kneeling with her hands folded before her baby son, the latter already radiating light. For, as the Church sings on the day of purification, she adored the very one she had generated.”

“Verum admodum probandae sunt illae picturae Christi Nativitatem repraesentantes, in quibus ipsa beata Virgo Maria complicatis manibus et flexis genibus ante parvulum suum filium, quasi iam in lucem editum depingitur. Ipsum enim quem genuit, ut Ecclesia canit, adoravit.”

Quoted Authorities

Die purificationis Mariae

Keywords
Jesus Christ, Nativity of Christ, Virgin Mary

Date mention
1617

Historical Location
Leuven

Iconclass Number
73B13(+2)

Source
Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), book 2, ch. 27, 100-101
Literature

Molanus 1996, 197-198.

Permanent Link
https://www.sacrima.eu/case/the-virgin-mary-kneeling-during-the-nativity-of-christ-2/