Die Unbefleckte Empfängnis

In the Spain of 1632, no religious subject was fought over more fiercely than this one. The idea that Mary was conceived free of original sin was not yet official Church doctrine, and Spanish cities lobbied Rome for it, held processions for it, and swore oaths to defend it. Painters were handed a fixed set of signs to show it. Zurbaran gives Mary the crescent moon under her feet and rings her with the emblems the litany names, the spotless mirror, the gate of heaven, the morning star, each one a quiet guarantee of her purity. He painted the theme several times. Here two young acolytes kneel at the bottom, bringing the heavenly vision down to the size of a room.