Cornelis Schut: The glorification of Mary/ The coronation of Mary (1630-1635)

(Museum Gouda, Gouda, The Netherlands)

This is an altarpiece from the Flemish painter Cornelis Schut (1597-1655). The painting was probably commissioned by the Jesuits from Gouda and is one of the few catholic altarpieces which were made in the Northern Netherlands during the Dutch war of independence (1568-1648). Depicted is the virgin Mary with the child Jesus and Jozef below her who is looking towards us. Mary is being crowned by angels in the sky as Queen of the Heavens while a group of female saints are looking from below. The saints can be recognized by their attributes:

- On the right with organ is Saint Cecilia (patroness of musicians),
- Behind Cecilia with the basket of flowers and a crown of flowers is saint Dorothea of Caesarea (patroness of gardeners), 
- In the front with the dragon is Saint Margaret of Antioch (one of the 14 Holy Helpers and is patron saint of pregnancy),
- with the spiked breaking wheel and sword is Saint Catherine of Alexandria (also one of the 14 Holy Helpers and is the patron saint against sudden death) 
- holding a lamb is Saint Agnes of Rome, patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape survivors, virgins, and the Children of Mary  
- with the crown of thorns is Saint Catherine of Siena,  Doctor of the Catholic Church and patron saint of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, people ridiculed for their piety, sickness and miscarriages.

Painting from 1630-1635