Black Madonnas - Iconography and Worship

Anotation Black Madonnas are a very specific iconographic type, which origin is not clear. They are statues or pictures of Virgin Mary, who often holds child Christ in her hands and both figures or only Mary herself have black or dark complexion. In the course of the time it was discovered that some of these Madonnas darkened secondarily thanks to the chemical changes of the carnation or the smoke of candles. Some of them had dark complexion from the beginning. In the 19. and 20. centuries different research approaches led to many theories, which try to explain the origin and the significance of these black Madonnas. Nowadays there exist several fundamental theories explaining, which iconographic influences would support the development of this image of Virgin Mary and also refer to its possible meaning. The iconography of Black madonnas is closely connected to their veneration. However the period sources illustrate that the practice directed at Black Madonnas as a particular image of Virgin Mary developed as late as the post reformation period. Majority of the black Madonnas was as the other venerated Madonnas dressed, crowned and enthroned. Frequently used words in work: ikonography Virgin Mary black Madonnas worship of Virgin Mary legends sculptures and image