Maria en de heilige Antonius van Padua met het Kind 1578 - 1613

This is Ventura Salimbeni’s etching of Maria and Saint Anthony of Padua with the Child. Note the halos hovering above each figure, a symbol of divine status. Observe how the Christ Child extends his hand towards Mary. This motif evokes images of royal investiture, where a scepter is passed to signify the transfer of power. Here, the gesture is imbued with spiritual significance, as the son seems to offer his divinity back to his mother, a motif seen in Byzantine icons. It's a cyclical image of divine return. The lilies, emblems of purity, at Saint Anthony's feet connect to a rich visual history. Lilies were also common symbols in ancient Egyptian art to symbolize rebirth and regeneration, and in the ancient world, they are associated with queens. In this etching, these symbols—the halo, the gesture of investiture, and the lilies—stir deep within us, reminding us of humanity's perpetual quest for understanding and connection with the divine. The symbol transcends time, reappearing, evolving, and taking on new meanings throughout history.