Title: Processional banner of the Mekinje Confraternity of the Heart of Mary
Author: /
Dating: first half of 18thcentury
Provenance: parish of Mekinje
Ident. no.: reg. no. 38/2021
Materials: oil on canvas, textile
Measurements: 170 cm (width) 264,5 cm (height)
On display:
© Slovene Museum of Christianity
The processional banner is believed to belong to the oldest confraternity of the Heart of Mary in Slovenian ethnic territory. The Confraternity was canonically established on 31 March 1718 by the “Cum sicut accepimus” papal bull issued by Pope Clement XI at the Poor Clares Monastery in Mekinje near Kamnik. It had its headquarters in the then monastery church at the altar of Mary. Enrolment in the Confraternity began on 12 February 1719.
On one side of the processional banner is a picture of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, while on the other side there is a picture of St Francis of Assisi. The Mother of God is holding the Child in her arms, and they each hold a flaming heart featuring Mary’s monogram. They are dressed in white lavishly embroidered baroque garments, and both are wearing crowns on their heads. Mary’s head is also covered by a veil. To her left stands St Joseph, also holding a flaming heart featuring Mary’s monogram and a lily in his hand, while to her right is St Clare holding a monstrance. The depiction of the Heart of Mary is inspired by the Confraternity’s religious image engraved in the Klauber workshop in Augsburg.
St Francis of Assisi is shown standing on the bank of a river, dressed in a brown monastic habit girded with a cincture. In his left hand, he holds a flaming heart featuring Mary’s monogram, while in his right, he holds a superior’s cross.