An old picture of Scherpenheuvel

 

This picture is from the three-volume work Chorographia sacra Brabantiae by Antonius Sanderus. It was published in 1626 (another source says 1627) and depicts Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel. This scanned copy is available from Google Books. This image from Scherpenheuvel is a very close match to the images at Luxembourg and Kevelaer. Thus, another connection linking the three and therefore linking Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel with Our Lady of Consolation. 

The current statue at Scherpenheuvel looks slightly different. In that statue Madonna and Child share a mantel and the mantel is not as wide. This image from 1626 was circulated in this three-volume set of Chorographia sacra Brabantiae. This 1626 picture is the earliest I have found. I have recently learned that the original Scherpenheuvel statue was destroyed by Protestants and later replaced when Catholics regained control of the region. 

In the background there is a procession. It can be clearly seen if the picture is enlarged. Recall that Fr. Jacques Broquart made his first procession with Our Lady of Consolation in 1626 in Luxembourg. This is another connection to Our Lady of Luxembourg, which is closely associated with processions. This picture shows the three different chapels that were built at Scherpenheuvel. Of course, they all did not exist at once. The largest on the right is the newest and also the one that exists today. The man in the lower left, Hans Clemens, was cured after visiting.  His legs were folded up in front of him and his knees were attached to his chest. He had been that way since birth. His legs straightened out and he was able to walk after praying at Scherpenheuvel. 

Below is the image of Our Lady of Kevelaer, which came from Luxembourg. Notice the similarities. The processions. The domed building. This image is from 1641. 

Consolatrix Afflictorum

Our Lady of Kevelaer

From Luxembourg