In the rich iconography of the Virgin Mary were the popular “picture within a picture” types. The intention of such paintings was to enhance visually or to “update” well-known and already-worshipped miracle-inspiring pictures. These “miraculous” pictures were displayed on altars, like relics, and as such were venerated. At the same time, “pictures within pictures” were employed by Counter-Reformation and missionary orders in particular, for dissemination of more striking presentations of “miraculous” pictures among ordinary town and country people. For some festivities special decorations and ceremonial accessories were produced, with sophisticated iconographic programmes.