Devotion and Pilgrimage
Specifics of devotional iconography
The iconography used on devotional objects is often influenced by the donor.
The iconography used on devotional objects is often influenced by the donor. Patrons are placed within common religious scenes, the themes of which are then chosen to reflect the life of the donor. Primary themes are set within scenes from the Bible, such as from the Life of Virgin Mary or the saints, the Passion of the Christ, and allegories of Christian virtues. Devotional objects, therefore, are not only indicative of the popularity of certain local artistic styles, but also tell of history and individual life stories. The idea of devotion penetrated other genres also, such as still-life painting.

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The Immaculate Conception with the Saints Petronius and Dionysius

1684
Parish church
Monghidoro, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Giovanni Antonio Burrini
Oil on canvas
This iconographically interesting altarpiece was commissioned by the noble Ratta family. The two saints either side of the Virgin Mary are Petronius, Bishop and patron of Bologna, and Dionysius, martyr and bishop of Paris, who is often mixed-up with the Areopagite, a Christian theologian and philosopher of the late 5th- to early 6th century. Saint Dionysius was probably painted on request of the patrons, as one of the members of the Ratta family was a diplomat sent by the Pope to France in order to persuade Louis XIV to abolish the Edict of Nantes and resume persecution of the Huguenots.