Images as Preachers The Role of Marian Imagery in the Religious Indoctrination of the Moriscos of the Albayzin of Granada

Marian imagery played a pivotal role in the religious indoctrination of Granada's Morisco population during the late 15th century, acting as a bridge between Islamic and Christian traditions. Hernando de Talavera, the first bishop of Granada, leveraged cast sculptures of the Virgin, commissioned by Queen Isabella, to centralize Marian devotion in the Albayzín quarter. These images were interpreted through devotional texts—including Talavera's own works and translations—to present Mary as an 'Islamicate' prophetess, aiming to guide newly converted Moriscos in their Christian faith. The study reveals how liturgical integration and textual mediation shaped religious conversion, offering a nuanced view of missionary strategies during this transitional period.

Sánchez, A. V. (2023). Images as Preachers The Role of Marian Imagery in the Religious Indoctrination of the Moriscos of the Albayzin of Granada. Medieval Sermon Studies, 67(1), 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/13660691.2023.2269524