As the preeminent Marian shrine in the United States, the Basilica is proud to honor the Blessed Mother with over 80 chapels and oratories reflecting diverse Catholic traditions from around the world. This month, we’re delighted to highlight sacred art as it corresponds to important Church celebrations and moments in the life of the National Shrine. In this post, we invite you to discover three breathtaking Marian art pieces we’re celebrating this August – from the Our Lady of China mosaic to the Our Mother of Africa sculpture!
August 3 – The Our Lady of China Mosaic
On August 3, 2002, the mosaic of Our Lady of China was dedicated at the National Shrine. Residing in the west nave stair hall of the Great Upper Church, this mosaic is a copy of the painting of Our Lady of China by John Lu Hung-Nien. Through the use of vibrant color and delicate mosaic detail, it shows Mary and the Christ Child in traditional Chinese garments. Mary stands atop swirling clouds, gazing lovingly at the Christ Child she holds in her arms. A golden aureole glows behind her head, and a gossamer veil falls gracefully around her, while doves descend with flowers. Beneath the mosaic, the words faith, hope, charity, and unity are written in Chinese characters.
Chinese Americans in the Archdiocese of Washington pioneered the mosaic project at the Basilica as a means of showing gratitude towards Mary for her maternal intercession for the people of China. Across the nation, Chinese Americans contributed to the creation of the mosaic, which today stands as a tribute to Mary’s love for the people of China.
August 15 – The Assumption Mosaic
One of the major Marian celebrations of the Church year, the Solemnity of the Assumption commemorates the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption, body and soul, into heavenly glory. Perhaps the most famous depiction of the Assumption is Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin, a famous painting that is replicated in mosaic in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica. The artwork was commissioned as a gift by Pope Pius XII, and the completed work was presented by Pope John XXIII. It was created with a technique that leaves the surface uneven and reflective, unlike its sister mosaic the Immaculate Conception, where the tiles are ground smooth to resemble a painting.
In this depiction, Mary wears rich shades of red and blue, standing atop the clouds. Surrounded by cherubim, she lifts her gaze heavenward, her arms outstretched. The shimmering golden background evokes the awe of this sacred moment, while the billowing movement of her clothes lends a dynamic human realism to the work.
August 30 – The Our Mother of Africa Sculpture
This year marks the 29th anniversary of the dedication of the Our Mother of Africa Chapel on August 30, 1997. At the center of the chapel stands a bronze sculpture of the Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child, flanked by columns of green marble. Perhaps what is most striking about this sculpture is how directly it interacts with both the visitor and the other elements of the chapel; Mary seems to stride towards the visitor with a piercing gaze, while the Christ Child guides the visitor’s attention to the narrative relief depicting the African-American experience from slavery to emancipation. This relief sculpture culminates in a mother and father, freed from the bronze of the relief, stepping into the nave and lifting their arms to Christ on the cross.
A gift of the National Black Catholic Congress, this chapel stands in remembrance of the painful history of slavery in the United States and the pillar of hope which Our Lady represented to enslaved peoples.
Source:
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.