Education of the Virgin 1750 - 1785

Editor: This sculpture, "Education of the Virgin," likely dates from between 1750 and 1785, and the artist is Walter Pompe. It's carved from wood, which gives it a unique texture. It feels like a very tender moment frozen in time. What symbolic weight do you think it carries? Curator: It's a potent image. Consider how the act of teaching and learning itself becomes a symbol here. The open book isn't just a source of knowledge, but an emblem of tradition, lineage, and the transmission of cultural memory. It speaks volumes about the perceived roles of women at that time. What does it evoke for you on that front? Editor: Well, it shows Mary being taught, suggesting she needed guidance, which I find a bit... strange. But her own later role as the mother of Jesus would have obviously made her wise. Is this kind of duality a common thread? Curator: Absolutely. This duality is at the heart of many depictions of Mary. She is simultaneously the student and the vessel of divine knowledge. The downward gaze of Saint Anne guiding her suggests humility but the upward tilt of young Mary's gaze also holds longing and faith. Look how they are connected via touch and visual narrative. What kind of psychology do you read here, particularly related to how children may internalize messages or trauma? Editor: I see... so it’s about more than just religious instruction, but about the passing down of inherited experiences, beliefs, or burdens, even non-verbally. It's making me rethink how I see religious art, now. Curator: Precisely! These images resonate across centuries because they touch on fundamental human experiences. Understanding the symbols opens doors to seeing layers we might have missed. Editor: I never would have picked up on so much without considering the symbolism! Thanks.