Novo-Hispanic School. 18th Century. 'The Tenderness of the Mother of Mercy Sheltering and Freeing Slaves and Captives' Oil on copper. 39.5 x 27.5 cm. A simple devotional representation of Our Lady of Mercy, depicting her fulfilling the task she assigned to three specific followers: James I of Aragon, Saint Raymond of Peñafort, and Saint Peter Nolasco, to whom she appeared. The task entrusted to them was to liberate captives who had fallen into the hands of heretics. This request became reality in the founding of the Order of Mercedarians. Also known as Mater Omnium, in Spain she is the patroness of prisoners and immigrants and also of Penitentiary Institutions. The painting follows the iconography that became clear from the 16th century: the Mercedarian habit — a tunic, scapular, and cape, all in white, arms open, with the Mercedarian shield on the chest, ...'under your protection, Lady, we take refuge, Holy Mother of God.' The tender face of the Virgin shelters and protects Christian slaves who kneel before her, already liberated from their chains. It's a simple, humble, loving, and serviceable painting that entrusts us all to her protection and encourages us to remain devoted to her.