Immaculate Heart of Mary
Basic Info
Images of the Immaculate Heart of Mary generally depict Mary with her heart outside of her chest. The heart is circled with a crown of flowers (usually roses), and sometimes it is pierced through with either a cross or a knife / sword, or as many as 7 swords. Like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, flames emerge from the top of the heart, but in Mary’s case, there may be nothing emerging from the flames or flowers may be growing from the flames. The heart usually emits a glow or light. Usually Mary is depicted looking at the viewer.
The idea behind the devotional image is roughly that Mary’s heart was more pure and more devoted to loving Jesus, loving God, than the normal human heart but that as such, she offers the rest of humanity a model of love that can be imitated and approached.
Historical Notes
The devotion goes back to the Middle Ages, especially in monastic communities, but it gained in popularity after a book that encouraged the devotion was published in the late 17th century.
What to Look For
- Mary’s physical appearance, expression, and gestures
- Mary’s eyes and the extent to which they focus on the viewer
- The heart (circle of flowers, wounding implements, flame, more flowers, glow or light)
Questions to Focus a General Interpretation
Does the artwork communicate the fullness of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or does it seem more like a symbol that is meant to remind the viewer of the viewer’s internally held beliefs and thoughts about the devotion to imitating Mary’s immeasurable love for God?
Do the eyes of Mary in the artwork seem to connect with the viewer as one of the human beings she hope will follow her example of loving God or is her gaze more directed toward someone or something unseen?
Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation
Does this artwork move you to turn your heart more fully toward loving God? If so, which aspects of the artwork seem to be contributing to that sensation? If not, what are some ideas or images that do move you to love?
Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation
In what social, economic, political, or ecclesiological circumstances do people need a model for loving God? Does the artwork seem to respond to such circumstances, or does it seem to simply be created to meet the high demand for such images?
