Mexico exhibition shines light on religious devotion in repatriated paintings

Nearly 600 paintings of religious devotion repatriated to Mexico from Italy have gone on display in Mexico City. These works of art are known in Spanish as "ex votos", and were painted between the 18th and 20th century as a sign of one's religious devotion. The paintings feature biblical scenes such as the crucifixion and the Virgin Mary's ascension to heaven.

According to historians, these paintings were taken from churches and religious buildings in Mexico and sent abroad. But they were returned to the country earlier this year, making this exhibition a first for Mexico. The exhibition, entitled Memory of Miracles, will be on show at Mexico City's National Museum of Cultures until March 2020.