A beloved icon of Venice, the Black Madonna adorns the main altar

Black Madonna and Child on altar

Artist: Unknown

VM number: 0032

Featured on Podcast: Listen to Podcast

Description: This Black Madonna now adorns the high altar of a 17th century church, Santa Maria della Salute. Previously housed in Crete, known as the Madonna Mesopanditissa, or peacemaker, the icon was thought to maintain peace between Latin and Greek churches. Brought to Venice in 1670 in hopes of protection from the plague.