The Winged Virgin of Quito

Bernardo de Legarda sculpted in 1734 an innovative image of the Virgin Mary, known as the "Winged Virgin", representing the Immaculate Conception. This work, which fuses European and indigenous elements, became an icon of colonial art in Quito. The original sculpture, of small dimensions, inspired a monumental replica at the top of El Panecillo in the 20th century. This initiative arose at the end of the 19th century with the objective of consecrating the country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.