Spanish school; 17th century

Spanish School; XVII century
"Virgin of Mount Carmel giving the habit to St. Simon".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Measurements: 109 x 88 cm; 133 x 111 cm (frame).
In this painting of late-baroque period has been represented the legend that tells the miracle of the apparition of the Virgin of Carmen to St. Simon Stock, Superior General of the Carmelite Fathers of the convent of Cambridge, on Sunday July 16, 1251, St. Simon Stock, She was carrying the Child Jesus in her arms, and in her little hands carried the scapular, although this is not shown in the painting. Only the Virgin enthroned on clouds is shown handing the box to Saint Simon.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is named after Mount Carmel, in Israel. According to tradition, during the celebration of Pentecost some of the faithful who were on that mountain were converted to Catholicism after the apparition of the Virgin. In that place they founded a temple in honor of Mary, origin of the congregation of the Brothers of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel, which passed to Europe in the 13th century after her persecution in the Holy Land. In 1251, her image would have appeared to St. Simon Stock, superior general of the Order, to whom she gave her habits and the scapular, the main sign of the Carmelite Marian cult. According to tradition, the Virgin promised to free from Purgatory and to take to heaven all the souls that have worn the scapular during their life, a belief that has been supported by the Popes. The Marian devotion to the Virgin of Mount Carmel spread to many countries in Europe and America, among them Spain, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. Ours is one of the countries where this devotion is most deeply rooted. The fishermen named the Virgin of Carmel their faithful protector and, in addition, the Spanish Navy granted her the title of patron saint. For this reason, the Virgin of Carmel is also known as "Stella Maris" ("the star of the seas").