Coronation of the Virgin

Coronation of the Virgin, Diego Velazquez, 1635-1636. Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.

Questions

-What do you think of this painting?

-How do you feel about how the Trinity is depicted?

-Why is it important that Mary is Queen of Heaven and Queen of Earth?

Reflection

August 22 is the feast of the Queenship of Mary. It is also the day that my husband proposed to me in 2021. Mary was a large part of my deeper conversion into the Catholic faith and was a vital part of my husband and mine's dating experience, so I am forever grateful that he chose a Marian feast day to start planning for the rest of our lives together. The protection and intercession of Mary continues to be ever present and growingly powerful in our lives, especially as our family grows. Many of my posts have been about Mary or naturally tied in to her role in our lives, which I do not think is a coincidence and I hope you are not sick of reading it. Although I do not want to solely focus on Mary, she is a beautiful example of how to receive tender heartedly and fully from the Lord. I desire my writing to teach, guide, and above all be a place of encounter with the Lord. Who better to learn this from than from Mary? There is a reason why so much of our art as Catholics includes or references Our Lady, because she is the one that teaches us how to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. She is the vessel in which God came to us and she can be the vessel in which we further come to God.

I love the style that Velazquez paints, but especially this one. Our Lady is beautiful, looking humbly downward and clothed in rich garments. Her main dress is the same pinkish-red color as Jesus Christ and God the Father are in, which displays how she is fully united with them. This color could reference the pink that is worn on Gaudete and Laetere Sunday, which refers to joy. It could also be understand as the color of divinity and divine judgement. The divinity that she has because of her relationship with God is hidden and overshadowed by the blue garment over. Blue on Mary usually is a reference to her purity, virginity, and royal lineage. This is interesting that her virtue and identity as a human (her purity and virginity during her life and genealogy which traces back to King David and Adam and Eve themselves) is what is shown overtop her divinity that is given to her and uniting her with God. Mary as Queen of Heaven is possible only in conjunction with her being Queen of Earth. The divine and earthly ruling that she is crowned with is just a mere share in the ruling that her Son does in a even more powerful, transcendent, and life changing way.

The coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth is not a dogma or doctrine of the Church that we are requested or required to believe in. Instead it is a cherished belief and devotion that many faithful hold. Mary has so many apparitions and is known by so many names, it is a way for all the faithful to connect with her and call upon her in their specific need. I think of my own daughter who has gone through different phases of calling me "Mom", "Mama", "Mommy". There was different tones and needs expressed by each one that bring about fond memories of her calling upon me. Mary has the same attitude with us. She responds differently based on what we call her and how we request her aid. I go to her as Queen of Heaven and Earth when I feel like something is at such a loss and there is a huge chasm between the imperfections of this world and the greatness of Heaven. This title of hers shows that she travels the bridge and path between Heaven and Earth that her Son created by His own life, death, and resurrection. She points to her heart in humility but also as a reminder of how we reach her and God. It is through the love in our hearts and the heartfelt prayers that we make where she meets us in our littleness. It is through her heart that we can more intimately reach her Son's heart.

Another detail that I love about this painting is how the white veil on her head is seemingly sliding back and will soon just surround her shoulders. Mary had great humility in her time on earth, always veiling herself and setting herself aside. She knew what she was meant for - to be the handmaid of the Lord. Her veiling was a way to reflect this physically and also serve as a reminder to herself that her home was not on this earth, it was with God in heaven. Her veil is also a symbol of her humility and allowing her work to be overlooked or unknown. As women and even generally as Catholics, we try to do many good works but are reminded constantly by the Lord to do them in secret. The flaunting of our gifts and works will only give us reward in this life, where it will turn to dusk the second we pass from this life to the next. Mary knew this and so she lived her life simply and humbly, knowing that the Lord sees all that she is doing for Him. And her reward? Being crowned the Queen of Heaven. In heaven all the veils will be lifted and we will be able to see God for who He truly is. The beatific vision will allow us the fullness of communion and understanding beyond our wildest imaginations with God and all the other holy souls in heaven. What does not make sense now will be clarified and exemplified in heaven, marking our path towards Our Lord while we were still on this earth. As Mary's physical veil is sliding off her head, the reality of who she truly is as Queen of Heaven and Earth is clarified, known, and glorified. She will forever remind us that our earthly existence is meant to be fulfilled only in our heavenly and divine destiny, with her Son in heaven.

Information

This art piece is known as an anomaly for this time period due to its relative simplicity. The other Baroque art of the time was characterized by dramatic scenes, huge numbers of people and subjects shown, intense light, great movement, and emotional exuberance. This painting shares in the typical Baroque characteristic of rich color but that is were it slightly drifts from the time period. It is instead an emotional exuberance through understanding the significance of the coronation of Mary and the great gift that the Trinity gave us in that. The light is more ethereal then intense, giving the whole piece a divine glow, bringing out the three dimensionality of the figures. The realism of the piece just increases the reverence of the piece and devotional aspect. It is fitting that it is thought that this piece was supposed to adorn an altar in a royal chapel.

The Trinity along with Mary make a triangular pattern, which give the picture a stability and immediate focus of the eye. The Trinity shows their equality by being in a straight line with one another. The light radiating from them all connects to further show their unification and equality in all characteristics as God. Instead of a triangular you could also see the shape as a heart with Mary in the center. She is the visual and desired focus of this painting and it is created by how they are placed and interact with one another.

The cherubs below are in adoration and innocence, reminding us of what awaits us in heaven. The depiction of cherubs started to grow and be a real focus during this Baroque era, adding another layer of understanding of heaven as well as artistic excellence. It was normal for cherubs to be painted as either babies or children with wings. The ones where they are just heads with wings is a reminder that we do not know exactly what heavenly creatures look like, only what the Bible and tradition have told us. It is also an important visual reminder that the cherubs are also in adoration of Mary, not just God. The coronation of Mary was not just an honorary title, but one that holds true power and significance.

More Questions

-What particular intentions can you call upon Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth to come to your aid?

-How has the Lord revealed partially your mission on Earth? What do you feel like is still veiled? How can you bring these feelings and wonder to the Lord?

-What name do you find resonants most with you to call Mary? Jesus? God the Father? The Holy Spirit?

Let us pray -

Lord, thank you for your Mother that shows us the humble way to heaven. Remind us of our own partaking in the royal lineage of your heavenly kingdom. May we see ourselves as beloved children of a loving God and King, who wishes to give us good things. I desire to better receive from you what you give me as Mary did. I know I have refused your gifts in the past and not recognized how closely you walked by me throughout my life.

Mary, please walk the bridge that your Son created between Heaven and Earth. Meet me in my littleness and brokenness, that you will bring me in my need to the feet of your Son's heavenly throne.

Mary, Our Queen, pray for us!