Ex Votos
Ex votos are pieces of devotional art where the artist depicts a time of hardship that was remedied by a specific saint. These art pieces follow a specific layout which usually shows the painter going through a difficult situation, the saint the piece is dedicated to in the corner in an orb of light, and at the bottom there is a description of the scene. The piece acts as a contract of devotion between the artist and the saint. Our Lady of Guadalupe was a popular figure for these devotionals since she was seen as being sympathetic to everyday people because she chose to appear to Juan Deigo. In addition to these more metaphorical appearances the instances in which people claimed to actually witness an apparition of Virgin Mary also became more common.
In addition to these symbolic appearances like the one shown in Jose Maria Martinez in Prison Praying to the Virgin of Remedies of Mexico. There also became growing accounts of physical appearances as well such as the one depicted in the Virgin of Guadalupe Appearing to a Man Holding a Hat. It became common that the Virgin would show herself to people who were experiencing hardship which helped push the narrative that she was the defender of the less fortunate. These personal experiences became popular subjects to pieces of art which further fueled her understanding in popular religion. This also led to her becoming a popular figure for mass produced art since people want to pray to her image directly.