De kroning van Maria 1455 - 1503

Israhel van Meckenem created this engraving of the Coronation of the Virgin. Angels surround Mary as she kneels before God. Dominating the scene are the figures of the virgin and child, symbols central to Christian iconography. From ancient times, the image of the queen has undergone a fascinating metamorphosis. Consider Isis, crowned as queen of the heavens in Egyptian art. Later, the Roman goddess Juno wore a diadem as queen of the gods. This symbol of royal power transcended its original context, reappearing in Christian art as the crown of the Virgin Mary. The act of crowning is not a mere decoration, but a powerful, recurrent gesture indicating divine approval. It expresses a moment of apotheosis, a sacred transformation recognized across cultures and eras, embodying humanity’s deep-seated aspiration for spiritual validation. This image evokes a powerful emotional response and engages viewers on a subconscious level. Like a dream, it speaks to the universal longing for acceptance and glorification. The symbols within this engraving are not frozen in time. Instead, they demonstrate the eternal, cyclical progression, resurfacing and evolving to take on new meanings.