12/13/2025
On this day, we honor the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Her image has become an important symbol of resilience, her iconography throughout the Americas representing hope to the powerless. For many, she is the representation of the strength and power in motherhood and femininity, a protector of the marginalized, and a symbol of female empowerment. Many Mexican and Chicana artists and activists, such as Yolanda Lopez and Delilah Montoya, have used her image metaphorically in their work, seen in this piece from our collection by artist Ester Hernández. La Virgen de Guadalupe’s history within Indigenous and Catholic spirituality and faith, and as a patron saint during times of rebellion and revolution, is recognized through celebrations, ceremonies, festivals, and gatherings that honor her significance within Mexican identity.
Visual Description:
A figure is drawn in the center, standing in front of a matte-black background, atop a gray, sidewalk-like floor. The figure faces forward, with a soft expression, their posture relaxed, hands at their sides and feet together. Their black hair is pulled back, covered by a long green and red striped rebozo that wraps around their arms. They wear a red long-sleeve loose pullover sweater with large black letters over it reading “USA”, light colored jeans, and black gym shoes. In front of them on the ground extending to their hips and covering part of their legs is a large white bucket filled with bouquets of red and white roses.
Ester Hernández (b. 1944, Dinuba, CA), La Virgen de las Calles (The Virgin of the Streets), 2001, pastel on paper / pastel sobre papel, National Museum of Mexican Art Permanent Collection, Gift of Sandra Cisneros Collection, photo credit: Michael Tropea
