Statues - Hither & Thither

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Marienbrunnen

Saint Mary's Fountain

The mother of Jesus Christ
(Wikipedia)

1686

Description

Renaissance fountain column topped by the precious double statue of St. Mary (dated 1686). On one side Mary shows the newborn baby Jesus and on the other side she prays as Immaculata, the Immaculate, for the salvation of the soul of the citizens.
The basin from the year 1776 shows the coat of arms of ten families from Gmünd.

Information Sign

Marienbrunnen
Die Brunnensäule aus der Zeit der Renaissance wird gekrönt vom kostbaren Doppelbild der Madonna im Strahlenkranz (datiert 1686).
Maria zeigt auf der einen Seite das neugeborene Jesuskind und betet auf der anderen Seite als Immaculata, die Unbefleckte, für das Seeleheil der Bürger.
Der Brunnentrog aus dem Jahre 1776 zeigt die Wappen von zehn Gmünder Geschlechtern.

Depictions of Saint Mary

Saint Mary, as the mother of Jesus Christ, has a central role in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic veneration of her as the Blessed Virgin Mary has grown over time both in importance and manifestation, not only in prayer but in art, poetry and music. She is usually depicted as a beautiful young woman, with a (blue) mantle. In the majority of the depictions she is having the Infant Jesus in her arms or on her lap.
Attributes of Saint Mary:

A crown of 12 stars (Relevation 12:1), sometimes 7 stars.
A royal crown, sometimes also a scepter: Mary Queen of Heaven.
Standing on a globe.
Standing on the crescent moon (Relevation 12:1).
Crushing the serpent (sometimes a dragon) under her feet. The serpent can have an apple in his mouth (Genesis 3:15). A special depiction is where Jesus impales the serpent with a spear-cross.
Flowers: Lily (symbol of virginity and purity), roses (Mary's mystical participation in the Holy Trinity as Heaven's Rose or Mystical Rose), iris or "Sword Lily" (emblem of Our Lady's Seven Sorrows), fleur-de-lis (resembling both the Iris and the Madonna Lily)

The Infant Jesus sometimes has some attributes too:

a crown and/or a royal orb (usually in combination with Mary as Queen of Heaven)
making a blessing gesture

Locatie (N 48°48'0" - E 9°47'51") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: debw039; Photograph: 6 September 2010
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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