Monnik met mariabeeld 1724

Jacob Gole created this print, depicting a monk holding a statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue, adorned with a crown, symbolizes Mary's role as the Queen of Heaven, a concept deeply rooted in Christian iconography. The act of holding or presenting a sacred object is a motif that transcends cultures, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian pharaohs displaying symbols of power or Greek priests carrying statues of deities in procession. Here, the monk's gesture echoes these traditions, yet it is imbued with the specific religious fervor of his time. Consider the gesture of pointing: in medieval art, it often directs the viewer’s gaze towards the divine or to a key element of the narrative. In this context, however, the monk’s peculiar expression complicates the reading of the image, suggesting perhaps skepticism. The statue of the Virgin Mary, a beacon of hope and purity, contrasts starkly with the monk's ambiguous portrayal. This juxtaposition taps into a collective memory, a subconscious recognition of religious devotion, and the complex, sometimes contradictory, nature of faith. This symbol is a reminder of how potent images can be as they evolve through time.