The oldest painting in the Gallery's holdings is known abroad
under the name of Maria im Aehrenkleid. It is one of around
eighty paintings with this particular motif known in Europe. It
was purchased from Bonjekovic family of Banjski dvori. Due to
its age, as well as the religious motif of Mary in a dress made
of grains, the painting represents an extreme rarity. The painting
of such scenes was started by rural painters, who were mostly
self-educated. The influence later spread on to urban painters
as well. The subject itself was well accepted by the nobility,
who even embraced Our Lady of Grains as their protectress. Our
Lady of Grains was the symbol of help to women in labour, while
sometimes She was also the one who came to take along the deceased.
Since this type of painting is extremely rare in our midst, while
it is rather frequent in Bavaria and Austria, it is assumed that
it originates from these regions.
