JANUARY SEMINAR
- CMS
- 12 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Marian iconography in the context of
the Portuguese confraternities of Mercy
DATE: WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY 2026
TIME: 3:00pm - 4:30pm (in the UK and Portugal)
VENUE: ONLINE VIA ZOOM
THEME
In our January research seminar, Dr Joana Pinho will focus on the Portuguese Confraternities of Mercy or Misericórdias, which were institutions made up of lay people who pursued charitable and spiritual goals. The first was founded in Lisbon in 1498 by Queen Leonor, spreading throughout the mainland and overseas territories during the 16th century. For this reason, they constituted the most important confraternity experience in Portugal during the Early Modern Age. They were dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, and Marian themes dominated the confraternity framework and also its entire daily dynamic. Dr Pinho’s paper will explore the role and symbolism of the iconography of the Virgin Mary in the context of Portuguese Misericórdias.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER
Joana Pinho holds a PhD in Art History (University of Lisbon, 2013), with a thesis about the architecture promoted by the Confraternities of Mercy in the 16th century. Since July 2020 she has been an associate researcher appointed by Artis – Institute for Art History (University of Lisbon). Her main areas of research are welfare and healthcare architecture, the commission of art in the confraternity context and the enhancement of cultural heritage related to welfare and healthcare.
REGISTER
To receive the free Zoom link, please send an email to Catherine O'Brien at info@marianstudies.ac.uk
