Queenship

Coronation of the Virgin by Charonton

Today, one week after the feast of Mary’s assumption, we celebrate that Mary is the Queen of Heaven. In the Hebrew tradition the mother of a king is referred to as queen. As Christ is the King of Heaven it is therefore fitting to call Mary the Queen of Heaven.

In art Mary’s role as Queen of Heaven is most clearly expressed in pictures of her coronation. Often she is depicted receiving a crown from her Son, who sits by her side.

On Charonton’s painting we see her being crowned by the Holy Trinity. The angels and the saints watch the glorious event, while the people on earth and below (purgatory) are reminded of their salvation through the Cross and the powers of Mary’s intercession.