Maria met Kind op de maansikkel 1513 - 1575

This is Giovanni Battista Scultori’s engraving of ‘Maria met Kind op de maansikkel’. Here, the Virgin Mary stands on a crescent moon, cradling the Christ Child, surrounded by cherubic figures. The crescent moon is an ancient symbol linked to lunar deities, yet it has been repurposed here. In Christian iconography, it represents Mary's purity and association with the Immaculate Conception, a theme that gained traction during the Renaissance. Note how this motif appears across cultures. Think of the ancient goddesses associated with the moon, such as Selene or Diana. The act of standing or resting on a lunar symbol transcends mere representation; it suggests dominion over the celestial sphere, echoing a divine feminine presence. This visual language taps into a deep, collective memory, evoking emotional connections to nurturing, protective, and powerful female figures. Observe how the symbol evolves, shifting from pagan to Christian contexts, yet retaining its emotional and psychological potency, resurfacing through history in an ever-changing cycle.