The world's oldest image of the Virgin Mary
Inside the Catacombs of Priscilla, on the Via Salaria, lies what scholars consider the oldest known depiction of the Madonna and Child. Painted on a wall of the underground galleries and dated to around the 3rd century, it is an image of immense value: it predates the great Marian icons and mosaics by centuries and shows just how early the figure of Mary entered Christian art and devotion.
What it depicts
The fresco shows a seated woman holding a child — read as the Virgin and Child — beside a standing male figure pointing to a star above them. The latter is often identified as a prophet (traditionally Balaam or Isaiah) announcing the birth of the Messiah, in keeping with the prophecies. The scene thus weaves the Old and New Testament into a single image.
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Why it matters so much
The value of this image lies in its age and its meaning:
- It is the earliest known figurative record of the Madonna and Child.
- It shows that Marian devotion was already alive in the first centuries.
- It documents the themes of early Christian art, still tied to Roman models.
- It anticipates centuries of imagery of the Virgin in Western art.
The style: Roman art and Christian faith
The fresco's style is that of the Roman painting of its day: quick strokes, earthy colors, a language still close to the decorations of private homes and the other catacombs. It was within this shared "vocabulary" that the first Christians placed their new meanings, giving rise to a sacred art that would become central to the whole of European history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest image of the Madonna? It is a fresco preserved in the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome, dated to around the 3rd century: the oldest known depiction of the Madonna and Child.
What exactly does it show? A seated woman holding a child (the Virgin and Child) and a male figure pointing to a star, often identified as a prophet announcing the Messiah.
Why does it matter so much? Because it is the earliest known figurative record of the Madonna and proves how early Marian devotion entered Christian art and faith.
Where is it? Inside the Catacombs of Priscilla, on the Via Salaria, open to visitors on guided tours.
Can you take photos? Photos are often not allowed inside the catacombs, for conservation reasons. Follow the staff's instructions.
Read also
- Catacombs of Priscilla: complete guide
- What to see at the Catacombs of Priscilla
- Catacombs of Priscilla: tickets and opening hours
- The catacombs of Rome: which ones to visit
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Article #486 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026