Gracious Virgin Mary
Gracious Virgin Mary
Gracious Virgin Mary

Gracious Virgin Mary

Author: N / A

Created: late 19th – early 20th century.

Material / technique: wood carving, polychrome.  

Dimensions: high - 68 cm.

The Gracious Virgin Mary is a depiction of the Blessed Virgin Mary according to the description of a sister of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1830. The Virgin Mary appeared in a white dress; she was standing barefoot on the globe with her arms down and rays of light emanating from her hands. The nun heard the voice explaining that the rays were allegedly a symbol of graces that Mary provides to those who ask for them.

Mary is shown standing, dressed in white robe with a cord round the waist, a blue robe is draped over her shoulders; a halo is around her head and she is stepping on the serpent, a symbol of the evil spirit.

Blessed Mary is selected as the sun of truth and love, so that you would follow in her image. Only she is able to truly love all creatures of God and Our Lord because of himself. If you were to put the love of Blessed Mary on one side of the scales and the love of all the saints on the other, the love of Mary would be greater than that of all the saints. Mary’s love is greater than that of angels. So let’s gather closely around the love of this teacher, so that we know how we should love the Lord. Likewise all the other virtues of Mary, such as truth, strength, moderation, chastity, humbleness and so on, are greater than those of all the other saints. In addition, the Holy Spirit enriched Mary with all seven gifts, because she deserved it as the Mother of God. (Motiejus Valančius, „Gyvenimas Švenčiausios Marijos Panos“, Raštai 3, p. 179–181)

Reference: "The Lithuanian art collection of Jaunius Gumbis". Museum and Collector - 6. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2016, Kat. No, P. 124.

Exhibition: Exhibition of the collection of Lithuanian art of dr. Jaunius Gumbis "Collected and Preserved", September 2016 - January 2017, National Museum of Lithuania, Vilnius.

Published: "The Lithuanian art collection of Jaunius Gumbis". Museum and Collector - 6. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2016, Kat. No, P. 132; "The traditional folk sculptures collection of Gediminas Petraitis".  Ed. Marytė Slušinskaitė. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2012, P. 23.

Photograph: display in the exhibition "Collected and Preserved", September 2016 - January 2017, National Museum of Lithuania, Vilnius.