Mary_Evora

This statue could be considered funerary or grave art and is from the early 20thcentury. Statues of Mary is one of the most common types of sculptures used in Catholic funerary art in Evora. Other significant grave sculptures to note include statues of Jesus, statues of St. Anthony, and also statues of angels. The Madonna, otherwise known as ‘St. Mary’ and ‘The Virgin Mary,’ is a highly regarded figure, especially amongst the Othodox and Roman Catholic sects. This is due to the fact that the figure of Mary is often considered to be the ‘first-believer’ one in whom the humanity of the church was representatively embodied. Images of the Madonna became particularly prevalent during the 13th century with the impact of conceptions of chivalry and aristocratic culture. She was meant to reinforce a high value on the traits of purity and virginity. This particular statue, which shows Mary alone, depicts a standing, generally glorified Mary, with a gesture of prayer, depicting her piety.