Maria met Christus en engelen in de hemel wordt aanbeden vanaf de aarde 1822 - 1834

This is an anonymous work depicting Mary meeting Christ and angels in heaven, as adored from Earth. The image is divided into two registers, with a clear interplay between the earthly and the divine. In the upper register, notice the motif of angels playing musical instruments— a symbol that transcends time and place. This motif is present in countless Renaissance paintings. Yet, its roots are much older, echoing the ancient Greek concept of the Muses, who were goddesses of the arts and sciences. Consider how the image's composition and the angels' rapturous expressions might serve as emotional triggers. The image engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, inviting them to participate in the collective memory of religious adoration and the longing for divine connection. Thus, the musical angels are not merely decorative; they are carriers of cultural memory, their melody resonating through centuries of artistic expression, each time resurfacing and evolving in meaning.