Madonna and the Child (painting)

Abstract

The history of the image of the Virgin Mary in Radocza remains unknown. Probably it was painted in the early 18th century. There is no doubt that the painting constitutes one of many copies of the ghotic image of the Virgin Mary in Opole. It comes from Piekary and currently it is located in the Elevation of the Holy Cross basilica in Opole. The original painting represents the Virgin Mary in the Italian and Byzantine Hodegetria type. Both images depict a similar arrangement of composition, gestures of characters and their robes draping. The most interesting element of both works is an apple held by the Virgin Mary in her hand. This fruit is present also in other Marian images in Poland, but their composition is slightly different. The Marian images with this fruit are also located in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biechów, the Carmelite Church in Cracow, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Bartholomew in Piekary Śląskie and in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wola Gułowska (in a region of Lubelszczyzna).