MATKA BOŻA ŚNIEŻNA (SANCTA MARIA MAIOR / SALUS POPULI ROMANI) W POLSCE. PROLEGOMENA DO BADAŃ NAD ROZWOJEM KULTU I WIZERUNKÓW
OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS (SANCTA MARIA MAIOR / SALUS POPULI ROMANI) IN POLAND. PROLEGOMENA TO RESEARCH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORSHIP AND IMAGES

Summary/Abstract: The study is connected with the preparation of a catalogue of the 750 images of Saint Mary of the Snows ((Sanctae Mariae Maioris/ Salus Populi Romani) recorded in Poland from the second half of the 16th century to the present day. The image of Our Lady of the Snows must be treated as a special kind of iconographic representation, distinct from popular Hodegetria. The main difference consists in the gesture of crossed or clasped hands or in the clearly marked sign of two bent fingers. The most dynamic development of the cult and the proliferation of the images is dated to the first half of the 17th century and is associated with the activity of the Jesuits, as well as with the diocesan priests, religious and lay communities who followed their example. A great variety of images can be observed here: while the scheme of the composition was preserved, details were modified or added. The engravings which served as the main source for copying make it possible to trace the patterns of modifications and additions. The hypothesis positing the existence of a “Polish Madonna” and a “peculiar Polish reworking” of the image should be revised in view of the fact that the habit of adding figures of the saints, angels, or cloaks to representations of Our Lady was widespread, and some of the engravings were imported from abroad and contained universal motifs.

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