Our Lady of Lourdes Wall Plaque

Mid 20th Century/Lourdes, France

The apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes occurred in 1858 in the town of Lourdes, France, where the Virgin Mary appeared to a young peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous. This event led to the construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which has since become one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The imagery typically depicts Mary in a white robe with a blue sash, reflecting the descriptions provided by Bernadette.

Devotional plaques like this one were commonly produced as souvenirs for pilgrims visiting the sanctuary or for use in home altars. These items often utilized lithography or enamel techniques to create colorful, accessible religious art for the masses. Such pieces are characteristic of Catholic material culture from the late 19th through the mid-20th century.