The Sorrowful Mother is an image of Mary as she was when she stood by the side of Jesus' cross. This iconographic type developed in the last quarter of the 15th century, when devotion to Mary as sorrowful mother was preached by the Dutch priest Jean de Coudenberghe, who had three such images installed in the churches for which he was responsible and who organized a number of "Brotherhoods of the Sorrowful Mother." The devotion was promoted by Philip the Fair and soon became widespread, especially in his domains.1 Often the breast is pierced by a sword, as a reminder of Simeon's remark in Luke 2:22-38 that "thy own soul a sword shall pierce." (The first picture at right is an example.) Or it may be pierced by seven swords (as in the second picture) to represent the "Seven Sorrows" that Mary is said to have suffered:
The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)
The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:43-45)
Meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary
The Crucifixion
The Deposition of Jesus' body from the Cross
The burial of Jesus
Dolorosa statues in Latin countries often lack the sword, possibly because they were intended for Crucifixion groups during Holy Week processions. In statues of this type that we observed in Oaxaca, Mexico, there is often a heart pinned to the breast and a crown.