Hemelvaart van Maria 1759

Paulus Constantijn la Fargue created this engraving called ‘Hemelvaart van Maria’ sometime in the 18th century. It depicts the Virgin Mary's ascent into heaven, a moment of profound spiritual significance within Catholicism. La Fargue was working in the Dutch Republic during a period of significant cultural and social change. The Republic was seeing the rise of Enlightenment ideals alongside deep rooted religious traditions, and his work reflects these tensions. Mary is shown ascending, surrounded by angels, while below, a diverse group of onlookers respond with awe. The print provides us with an insight into the gendered and religious frameworks of the time, in which Mary, as a maternal figure, is elevated to a divine status, embodying ideals of purity and piety. The emotional intensity of the scene is palpable. This print serves as a window into the religious and cultural landscape of the 18th century, inviting us to contemplate the enduring power of faith, and the complex interplay of gender and divinity.