Maria met Kind op wolken met aartsengel Michaël, een Franse koning, kerkvaders en heiligen 1670 - 1742

This is an engraving showing Mary with Child on clouds with Archangel Michael, a French king, church fathers, and saints made by an anonymous artist. The composition is structured around two distinct zones, one celestial and one terrestrial, which are connected by a semi-architectural frame. Note how the upper zone, populated by religious figures on clouds, contrasts sharply with the earthly realm below, where the French king kneels. The artist uses line and form to create a clear visual hierarchy, emphasizing the divine over the mortal. This division invites us to consider how the work operates as a semiotic system. Each figure—Mary, the archangel, the king—functions as a sign, conveying specific meanings and cultural values. The juxtaposition of these signs prompts questions about power, authority, and the relationship between the sacred and secular realms. It highlights the artist's awareness of visual language and its potential to shape perception. Through its formal arrangement, the artwork prompts ongoing questions about interpretation.