EX-VOTO
CORONA
KATWIJK

Anonymous Folk Art, Ex-Voto Corona, Katwijk aan de Maas, The Netherlands 2021
”Thanks to Our-Lady-of-Katwijk”

The Corona or Covid virus also leaves its mark in devotional practices. This votive painting stands in a Dutch place of pilgrimage as an expression of thanks to Mary who was successfully invoked by a Corona patient. The prayer was answered and out of vow, or ex voto, this scene was donated in 2021. It meets all the characteristics of folk art peculiar to this genre. The initials J.L. do not concern the maker, who is anonymous, but refer to the donor and patron of this ex voto. Interestingly, the motif of the votive gift is now situated in a modern operating theatre. The medics are doing their specialist work, but it is Mary who stands above them, exuding her magical power. The contrast between medical technology with computers and magical folk belief is remarkable. There is plenty of reference to the coronavirus in the book where believers write their intentions.