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Masters of the Dark Eyes, Anna Geperts and Her Daughter
from a Prayer Book
Dutch or Flemish, ca. 1500
The Hague, Koninlijk Bibliothek,
MS KB 135 E 19, fol.1v
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Most modern people encounter Saint Anne, not through a visual or written source, but through a name – Anne, Ann, Anna, Hannah, Aña, Aine, Anya and countless other variations. Of all the people who bear her name and of the churches, schools and other institutions named after her, she is the Patron Saint.
She is also the Patroness of: grandmothers, women who have trouble conceiving, unmarried women (hence the pseudo-prayer “Saint Anne, Saint Anne, find me a man”), miners, the French region of Brittany (which takes in the shrine of Sainte Anne d'Auray with its famous “pardon” or pilgrimage in her honor) and the Canadian province of Quebec, with its major shrine at Sainte Anne de Beaupre.
In many works of late medieval art women named Anne requested that their own portraits be added as donor images. In these works they are shown kneeling before her in prayer.
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Madonna and Child with St. Anne
from Hours of Pierre de Bosredont
France (Langres), ca. 1465
New York, Morgan Library
MS G.55, fol. 112v
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They frequently also requested a closer relationship with Saint Anne. In these cases they are shown kneeling in prayer before the the central image of the work of art as Saint Anne presents them to that central subject (often a Madonna and Child or scene of the Crucifixion).
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Master of the Legend of Saint Ursula, Anna Nieuwenhove Presented by Saint Anne
Flemish, late 15th Century
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lehman Collection
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Jean Bourdichon, Anne de Bretagne in Prayer Accompanied by Her Patron Saints
from Grandes Heures d'Anne de Bretagne
France (Tours), 1503-1508
Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France
MS Latin 9474, fol. 3
Here St. Anne appears alongside two royal saints as patrons of Anne de Bretagne, Duchess of Brittany
and twice Queen of France (consort to Charles VIII and Louis XII).
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These images demonstrate Saint Anne’s role as intercessor for those who claim her as their Patron or for those who request her prayers.
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Lucas Cranach the Elder, Saint Anne with Donor
German, ca. 1514
Pedralbes, Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection
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The Catholic doctrine of intercession is frequently misunderstood by non-Catholics (and some Catholics). It is based on the Christian belief in the Communion of Saints, the union of all the faithful, living and dead, in Christ.
As the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states regarding the Communion of Saints:
Since all members of the Communion are alive in Christ, “death no longer has power” (Romans 6:9). So, just as we can request the intercessory prayer of persons still living in this world, we can request the intercessory prayers of those who, having passed from this life, live now in “the glory of God” (see above).
There is no “now” and no “then” in God. In 2011, we can request the intercession of Saint Anne just as readily as our predecessors of 500 years ago, such as does Anna Nieuwenhove in a painting by the Master of the Saint Ursula Legend (above) or her contemporary Anne de Valois (also known as Anne de France) in the beautiful Bourbon Altarpiece by the Master of Moulins (identified as Jean Hey) or as readily as we can request the intercessory prayer of our own contemporary friend named Anne.
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Master of Moulins (Jean Hey), Bourbon Altarpiece
French, ca. 1498
Moulins, Cathedral
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Master of Moulins (Jean Hey). Saint Anne with Anne de Valois
Detail of the Bourbon Altarpiece
French, ca. 1498
Moulins, Cathedral
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O glorious Saint Anne, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you, and with love for those who suffer. Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present intention, which I recommend to you in your special care.
Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue.
Continue to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me the grace on day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the saints to praise and bless him for all eternity. Amen.
Saints Anne and Joachim, pray for us.
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| Anonymous Alabaster Carver, Mary with Saints Anne and Joachim English, 15th Century New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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Joos van Cleve, Madonna and Child with Saints Joachim
and Anne
Flemish, 1541
Brussels, Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts
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1. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Vatican, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2005, #195
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