Virgin of Quito or Immaculate of Legarda

Marian devotion of Quito (Pichincha)

La original image of the Virgin of Quito is a baroque sculpture of wood, about 30 cm high, made by the master of Quiteño Bernardo de Legarda to 1734in the context of Quiteña School of colonial art. The work was commissioned by the Franciscans for an altarpiece of the church of San Francisco de Quitoas representation of the Immaculate Conception, and eventually became one of the most emblematic Marian images of the city. Today it is venerated in the central niche of the main altar of that church.

Main data

Origin and history

La original image of the Virgin of Quito is a baroque sculpture of wood, about 30 cm high, made by the master of Quiteño Bernardo de Legarda to 1734in the context of Quiteña School of colonial art. The work was commissioned by the Franciscans for an altarpiece of the church of San Francisco de Quitoas representation of the Immaculate Conception, and eventually became one of the most emblematic Marian images of the city. Today it is venerated in the central niche of the main altar of that church.

In the 20th century it was decided to raise a monumental monument inspirado en esta imagen on the hill of El Panecilloin the center of Quito. The sculpture was designed by the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras, performed with approximately 7,000 pieces of aluminium y inaugurada en 1975 on a high basis, until 41 meters high, which makes it the highest statue in Ecuador and one of the highest in South America, in addition to being considered the highest aluminium sculpture in the world.

As for the distinction between tradition and documentation, popular image identification as “Virgen del Apocalipsis” is born from the devotional reading of Chapter 12 of the Revelation (the woman in the sun, with the moon under her feet, which overcomes the dragon), but the historical documentation refers mainly to her commission as an image of the Immaculate Conception in the 18th century. The interpretation as a symbol of the city of Quito and "Virgen ballerina" is part of the cultural and devotional development later, collected by scholars of the art and the religiosity of Quito.

The image and the sanctuary

La original image es una Baroque sculpture of polychrome wood of a process-type -retractable, of approximately 30 cm high. Represents the Virgin Mary as Immaculate and, at the same time, as mujer del Apocalipsiswith very particular features: standing on a balloonwhile Crush a snake with his feet, to which he holds a chain, symbol of the triumph of Mary and the Church over sin. The figure is characterized by an accused undulating movement in the folds of the dress and the cloak, which gives the impression that the Virgin dance or fleet, which was worth the appeal of “Virgen bailarina”. The most unique iconographic feature is the wingsthat, according to the tradition over the Legarda style, they should allude to the desire of the sculptor that his saints "could reach heaven."

El monument of the Panecillo reproduces this iconography in monumental key: a Virgin alada, crowned, in a dynamic attitude, standing on the globe and dominating the chained serpent. It is done in aluminium, assembled into thousands of numbered pieces, and is raised on a basis that functions as a lookout and small cult space. From the canonical point of view, it is not clear that this structure is recognized as minor basilica or National sanctuaryIt is, above all, a religious and civic monument muy significant para Quito.

La original image se venera en la Church and Convent of San Francisco de Quito, one of the oldest and most important religious groups in the historic center of Quiteño, governed by the Order of Minor Friars. The temple, of great artistic and heritage value, houses numerous Baroque altarpieces and is one of the main nuclei of Marian devotion in the city. A specific statement of this temple as "Marian sanctuary" in relation exclusively to the Virgin of Legarda is not included in the documentation consulted.

Sponsorship and coronation

La Virgin of Quito / Virgin of Legarda is widely considered symbol and religious icon of the city of Quito, and its monument of the Panecillo actually works as urban and spiritual emblem Metropolitan District. However, there is no decreto formal to proclaim the canonical patron of the city, the province or the nation; therefore, from a strictly legal and ecclesial point of view, does not contain a specific canonical patronage documented.

As for the canonical coronation, the historical and informative sources consulted (including Catholic literature and press on the monument and image) no documented canonical coronation of the original image or its monumental replica. Therefore, following the requested criterion:

Canon coronation: there is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La fiesta litúrgica principal linked to this advocation is that of the Immaculate Conception, December 8the day when the universal Church celebrates this Marian mystery, and in Quito it is particularly associated with the Virgin of Legarda. Around that date, the Eucharistic celebrations and devotional acts are intensified in the convent of San Francisco and in various temples of the city.

The devotion to the Virgin of Quito is closely linked to the religious and civic life of the capital. The monument of the Panecillo is one of the most visited places in the city, both by pilgrims and by tourists, and has become a reference point for the prayer, contemplation and identification of the Quiteños with Mary. The iconography of the Winged Virgin appears in pictures, domestic and processing images, and is often associated with the protection of the city from natural or social hazards (devotional dimension collected in local studies and testimonies).

Between popular traditions, destaca el big bright manger which is installed every December on the hill of the Panecillo, with monumental figures that surround the image of the Virgin, illuminated during the nights of Christmas 9th. This initiative, of a strong symbolic and catechetical character, strengthens the link between Mary, the expectation of the birth of Christ and the daily life of the city.

Link to the Rosary

In the specific documentation on the Virgin of Quito / Virgin of Legarda no consta una of the Rosary nor a practice of the Rosary particularly institutionalized around this advocation (as in other Marian shrines).

However, the image is born as a representation of the Immaculate Conception, mystery closely linked to the spirituality of Rosary and to the contemplation of the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary. The figure of the mujer del Apocalipsiswhich overcomes the dragon, visually expresses what the Rosary makes it experience spiritually: Mary associated with Christ's triumph over sin and evil.

For this reason, even if specific practices of the Rosary are not documented in an official manner linked to this advocation, the rezo of the Holy Rosary if it presents a privileged way join the Virgin of Quitoby contemplating the mystery of redemption and asking for its protection over the city and those who invoke it under this unique iconography of the Winged Virgin.