The rosaries

Caravaggio’s depiction shows St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order, receiving rosaries from Mary to distribute among the people. Rosary comes from the Latin ‘rosarium’ or ‘rose garden’.

In Christian iconography roses represent the Mother of God. The fact that she is portrayed here giving the rosary to the saint and not directly to the common folk is a statement of the Counter-Reformation, and perhaps the political standpoint of the unknown commissioner of the work. Dominic takes on the significant position of middleman between Heaven and Earth.

From the time Martin Luther publishes his 95 Theses in 1517, the Protestant movement is increasingly critical of Catholic veneration of saints, saying that humans, including saints, should not be venerated in any way that resembles the worship of God. Catholic theology argues that saints are only called upon as advocates of God, and are not worshipped.