Virgin of Sorrows

Abstract

This mannequin represents the Virgin of Sorrows in Cathedral of Salerno. Created in the late 17th century, the Virgin wears a black fabric dress with embroidered floral designs and stars, which conceals the wooden framework beneath, as she is not fully sculpted under the clothing. She clasps her hands together and gazes upwards, drawing the eye to her chest, where seven swords pierce straight through her. The swords are representative of the Virgin’s sufferings throughout her life. The cult of the Virgin of Sorrows emerged in the Middle Ages and proliferated throughout the 17th century, especially during Easter festivities, where she is celebrated in various regions in Southern Italy and Spain during Holy Week. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.