Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BATHTUB MADONNA: Difference between revisions
(New page: left|thumb|150px|This symbol of faith was once common in Dubuque.BATHTUB MADONNA. Residential symbol of piety. Once a common sight in heavily Catholic Dubuque, the gr...) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:shrine.jpg|left|thumb|150px|This symbol of faith was once common in Dubuque.]]BATHTUB MADONNA. | [[Image:shrine.jpg|left|thumb|150px|This symbol of faith was once common in Dubuque.]]BATHTUB MADONNA. Once a common sight in heavily Catholic Dubuque, the grotto-like shelter for Mary was constructed by burying the front half of a cast iron bathtub in the ground and placing a statue of Mary inside. | ||
The inspiration for the shrines was probably the religious grottoes of European countries like Austria, Spain and Italy. The first local grottoes were probably constructed of such native materials | The inspiration for the shrines was probably the religious grottoes of European countries like Austria, Spain and Italy. The first local grottoes were probably constructed of such native materials as rock and wood. They were often placed on hillsides to simulate sites where Mary appeared to children in locations like Mexico City, Fatima, and Lourdes. It was thought that from a hillside, Mary could watch over the faithful below. | ||
Many of the local bathtub grottoes were constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. During those years, many people were replacing their original bathroom fixtures and looking for ways of using the old material. The bathtub offered a natural grotto shape forming a halo effect around the figurine. | Many of the local bathtub grottoes were constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. During those years, many people were replacing their original bathroom fixtures and looking for ways of using the old material. The bathtub offered a natural grotto shape forming a halo effect around the figurine. | ||
[[CATEGORY: Artist]] | [[CATEGORY: Artist]] | ||
Revision as of 16:59, 9 February 2010
BATHTUB MADONNA. Once a common sight in heavily Catholic Dubuque, the grotto-like shelter for Mary was constructed by burying the front half of a cast iron bathtub in the ground and placing a statue of Mary inside.
The inspiration for the shrines was probably the religious grottoes of European countries like Austria, Spain and Italy. The first local grottoes were probably constructed of such native materials as rock and wood. They were often placed on hillsides to simulate sites where Mary appeared to children in locations like Mexico City, Fatima, and Lourdes. It was thought that from a hillside, Mary could watch over the faithful below.
Many of the local bathtub grottoes were constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. During those years, many people were replacing their original bathroom fixtures and looking for ways of using the old material. The bathtub offered a natural grotto shape forming a halo effect around the figurine.