The “rather devout image” of Saint Mary of Africa

Abstract

The gothic image of Saint Mary of Africa, representing the Pietà, was sent to Ceuta by Prince Henry (the Navigator) at an uncertain date but, it is believed that it was shortly after Ceuta was taken in 1415. Shrouded in legends about its origins, it was elected patron and protector of Ceuta, after defending the city from the Muslims and the plague. On an also undetermined date, people started to dress this image, a tradition that was recently called into question because of the risks to its preservation. This paper, as part of a wider investigation about devotional dressed sculptures, intends to clarify the several misconceptions about the origin of this miraculous sculpture, and understand how the deep devotion towards it, insists in watching it in processions and adorned with mantles.