Unknown artist, Virgin of the Apocalypse Surrounded by Saints (Nun's Badge), about 1770. Oil paint on copper in a tortoise shell frame; 7¼ in. dia. Funds from the 1985 Trip Benefit and the Acquisition Challenge Grant, 1985.361.

diameter: 7.25 in, 18.4150 cm

Mayer Center, Latin American Art

Latin American Art

This object is currently on view

Nun’s badges (escudos) are unique to Mexico. Invented there in the seventeenth century, they were worn at the throat by Conceptionist and Jeronymite nuns over the habits of their respective orders. Representing images of the Virgin and saints significant to the order and/or the individual nun, they were usually painted on round or oval sheets of copper and framed in tortoiseshell or wood. Many of the most famous artists in Mexico painted nun’s badges and some are signed by the artists.
--Donna Pierce, 2015

Purchased by the Denver Art Museum 19 November 1985 with funds from the 1985 Trip Benefit and the Acquisitions Challenge Grant. Provenance research is on-going at the Denver Art Museum. Please e-mail provenance@denverartmuseum.org, if you have questions, or if you have additional information to share with us.