Brienz/Brinzauls, 1751

After the miraculous healing from his paralysis Joseph Joos and his wife Elisabeth Gadient thanked the Mother of God with this painting. The term «votive painting» is derived from the Latin word «votum», which means vow. Thereby worshippers also fulfilled a religious pledge, which they had made to the Virgin Mary with the request for rescue from a distressing situation.

From the 17^th century on, the practice of votives became more widespread. These pictures, often produced by amateur painters, are impressive testimonies of the people’s devoutness, and furthermore tell of the worries and problems with which people were confronted in everyday life.