Nun’s Badge with the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception 1705 - 1715

Curator: Here we have the Nun’s Badge with the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, created sometime between 1705 and 1715 by Nicolás Rodríguez Juárez. It's a fascinating piece currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It's striking! The contrast between the detailed, almost miniature-like painting in the center and the rustic, ornamented earthenware is quite remarkable. It's much smaller than I initially imagined. Curator: Absolutely. These badges were actually quite popular in colonial Mexico, often worn by nuns to display their devotion. They served as visible markers of identity and allegiance within the religious community. The painting itself, tempera on earthenware, is very typical of Baroque style, depicting the Virgin surrounded by saints. Editor: The materials definitely tell a story. The combination of the ceramic base, the carefully applied tempera, and the floral metalwork around the border—there’s a tension between something mass-produced and something incredibly personal. I’m wondering about the labor involved in producing this object, both the artistic and the artisanal. Curator: Exactly! The labor and resources needed highlight the complex colonial social structure. Works like this underpinned both the power of the church and the status of its members. Editor: It's interesting how a piece with such overt religious symbolism also gives insight into materials and production of colonial art—the intersection of faith, artistry, and economy on a tangible surface. The details matter so much here! Curator: The social history is just as intricate as the art itself, particularly when considering patronage and artistic practice within the religious orders. It's amazing how a seemingly simple object can reveal such multifaceted layers of context. Editor: Agreed! Thinking about it now, that contrast makes this piece especially compelling; a confluence of meaning through form and material. Curator: Indeed, an excellent illustration of cultural and artistic practices intertwining in colonial Mexico!