Brush with faith: The Immaculate conception

Contrary to the belief of many Catholics, the Immaculate Conception has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit’s impregnation of Mary with the seed of Christ. Rather, it is the doctrine that his mother Mary was sinless (immaculate) from the moment she was conceived and remained that way for eternity.

“The blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Saviour of Mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin” [Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, December 1854].

We celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8 December.

One of the most famous paintings of the Immaculate Conception was by Guido Reni. Born in Bologna in 1575, Reni was the son of a musician, but chose to pursue art instead, studying at the Carracci Academy and going on to become the most celebrated painter in Italy.

Moving to Rome, he was influenced by Rafael and Caravaggio and soon settled on a style best described as Baroque Classicism. He became known for the elegance of his compositions, especially the way in which he imbued faces with beauty and grace.

Such as in this ethereal altarpiece from around 1627, commissioned by the Spanish ambassador in Rome and was eventually hung in the Catedral de Sevilla.

Our Lady is depicted standing on a crescent moon, a common motif in representations of the Immaculate Conception, as it symbolised Mary’s victory over time and space. She is surrounded by a mystical arch of putto (baby angels) rendered in a palette of golden light.