Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Felice Torelli sketched the “Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary” with pen and brown ink in the 17th century. The composition centers on Saint Anne with the newborn Mary, surrounded by attendants and angels. The act of bathing a newborn, prominently featured here, carries a deep, cross-cultural resonance. We see it echoed in ancient Roman depictions of infant Hercules being bathed, a ritual cleansing signifying the entry into a new phase of existence. But here, it transcends mere hygiene; it symbolizes purification and the dawn of a sacred life. Consider the ubiquitous motif of angels, common in art across cultures. These celestial beings appear in various guises, from the winged figures of Renaissance paintings to the djinn of Islamic lore. They are the messengers, the intermediaries between the divine and mortal realms, their presence intended to evoke a sense of awe, and imbue the scene with divine approval. Torelli's sketch invites us to contemplate how deeply ingrained symbols continue to evolve and shape our cultural narrative, echoing through time.