Kroning van Maria 1587 - 1589

"Kroning van Maria," or "The Coronation of Mary," was made by Johann Sadeler I in the late 16th century. It's an engraving that illustrates a pivotal scene in Catholic iconography, one that speaks to both power and humility. Sadeler was working during the Counter-Reformation, a period defined by the Catholic Church's efforts to reaffirm its spiritual authority amidst the rise of Protestantism. Within this context, images of the Virgin Mary served as potent symbols, reasserting her importance within the Catholic faith. Here, we see Mary kneeling in supplication as she's crowned by Christ and God, with the Holy Spirit hovering above. What strikes me most is the way this image attempts to reconcile the earthly with the divine, while also reinforcing social hierarchies. The text at the bottom reads "He has cast down the mighty from their seats, and has lifted up the lowly." Mary embodies both; she's elevated to Queen of Heaven, yet remains forever humble. This tension between power and submission, the mortal and the divine, invites us to reflect on the complex roles assigned to women within religious doctrine.