Maria met het Christuskind op de wolken 1584

This is "Maria met het Christuskind op de wolken," made by Wierix around the turn of the 17th century. As an engraver in Antwerp, Wierix navigated the tumultuous period of the Dutch Revolt, where religious and political identities were deeply contested. In this print, Mary is not just a mother, but a symbol. Elevated on clouds with her child, she embodies the Catholic Church's vision of maternal power and divine grace. In a time when the Protestant Reformation questioned the role of saints, the emotional appeal of Mary became crucial for the Catholic Church. Wierix uses the detailed engraving to create an image designed to elicit an emotional response, reaffirming the sanctity and authority of the Virgin Mary in a world undergoing profound change. The landscape below, detailed and earthly, contrasts with the ethereal realm above, underscoring the separation between the divine and the mortal. Yet, Mary bridges this gap, offering solace and a direct line to the divine in an era of uncertainty.