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Coronation of the Virgin

A heavenly image in which Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven by Christ or the Trinity, frequently surrounded by angels and saints.

Short Definition

Mary crowned as Queen of Heaven by Christ or the Trinity.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Language Origin

Latin / English

Pronunciation

kor-ə-NAY-shən of thə VER-jin

The Coronation of the Virgin shows Mary crowned in heaven, usually by Christ or by the Trinity, often amid angels, saints, and celestial music. It was a major subject of medieval and Renaissance altarpieces and church sculpture.

Etymology

Coronation from Latin corona, “crown.”

Sculptor Notes

The crown is not a small prop but the apex of the composition. The sculptor should coordinate the gesture of crowning, Mary's humility, the throne or clouds, and attendant angels so that the viewer's eye rises naturally to the act itself.

References

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/467723; https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-cult-of-the-virgin-mary-in-the-middle-ages