The Coming of Our Lady of the Pillar to Zaragoza

The Coming of Our Lady of the Pillar to Zaragoza is a characteristic painting by José Luzán, the first teacher of Francisco Bayeu and Goya. With gentle colors and a soft Rococo style, Luzán depicted the Virgin Mary seated on a cloud in a luminous halo, being carried by angels from Jerusalem to Zaragoza, in mortal flesh, according to devotional tradition, on January 2, A.D. 40, to appear to the Apostle James and the first seven christian converts. Two youthful angels carry the sacred pillar that she left with the apostle as a sign of her support and encouragement at the beginning of his preaching of christianity in Hispania. Rays of nocturnal light illuminate the waters of the Ebro river.