A Theme of Counter-Reformation in Western Art: Mary of Loreto

This article is an attempt to examine the depictions of Mary of Loreto, as a theme that mainly found in Italian art, its emergence and relation to the religious environment of the period in which it emerged, as well as its transformations within the context of the Counter-Reformation principles. The first examples of its appearing in the period of Counter-Reformation, the theme of Mary of Loreto increased its effect throughout the same period by introducing Loreto as a Catholic center of pilgrimage. Several approches to the Marian cult, such as the one that postulated by the Catholic Church in accordance with decisions of the Council of Trent and the approaches of the Jesuits and Franciscans are also the subjects to be discussed here, due to their important roles in the development of the cult. Following a short explanation on the legend of the Holy House (Santa Casa) in the Holy Land and the protection of Santa Casa during the Crusades, the article dwells on the architecture and the architectural decoration of Sanctuary of the Holy House (Basilica della Santa Casa) which moved from Nazareth to Loreto. Starting from the earliest examples of Mary of Loreto, the main part of the study defines the forms of the scene in terms of presentation by focusing on the development of the Marian cult within the framework of the Counter-Reformation principles. The conclusion evaluates the iconographic development of the depictions of Mary of Loreto in Italian art with regard to the same principles