Maravilla Americana[1] (English: American Marvel) is a commentary written in 1756 by Miguel Cabrera on the portrait Our Lady of Guadalupe, a revered image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pope Benedict XIV described the commentary with a quote from Psalm 147:20: “Non fecit taliter omni nationi” (God’s done nothing like it for any other nation).
He took special note of the very thin cotton thread that united both parts of the ayate, which by itself couldn't resist the least force, remaining in place.
In Chapter 4, Carbrera remarks on the fine quality of the Guadalupan portrait drawing: “It is unmatched; and so perfectly finished, and marvellous, that I’m fully certain that whoever with elementary knowledge of the principles of this art, on seeing it, will exceed himself in eloquence to make this portent known as miraculous”.
However, this which to a human artist would be dissonant and even tasteless, we see here divinely practiced in this virginal canvass with such grace and beauty, that no matter how much I wished to exaggerate, I could never say as much as it by itself conveys to the onlooker’s eyes.
They are composed of a golden vein with the peculiarity that they follow not the pleats and undulations, but are continuous as if on a flat surface…” "Considerations on the objections against the esthetical perfection of the Image".
In Chapter 7, Cabrera refutes Art criticism that claims the portrait violates what are called the "rules of painting": “The most thorough and efficacious answer to all objections presented or possible is the image itself, as I know that when attentively observed, the sharpest eyes will find no less than the complete achievement of the most perfect whole that painting ever admired.” "On the design of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe."