Maria Advocata (Madonna del Rosario)

The Madonna del Rosario is an icon of Mary commonly dated to the sixth century or earlier.^[1] It is an early version of a type of icon known as the Agiosoritissa or the Maria Advocata, in which Mary is depicted without the Christ Child, with both hands raised. The work, which has been kept in the Church of the Madonna del Rosario since 1931,^[2] is thought to be the oldest image of Mary in Rome, Italy.^[3] Medieval tradition held that the icon was painted by Luke the Evangelist.^[4]

The painting is known by various names. It is often simply called Maria Advocata, since it was long the only example of the type in Rome.^[1] It has also been referred to according to the various churches where it has resided, as Madonna in Tempulo, Madonna di San Sisto, Madonna di Santi Domenico e Sisto, or, as it is called here, Madonna del Rosario.