Fotoreproductie van de Sixtijnse Madonna door Rafaël before 1864

This is a photographic reproduction of the Sistine Madonna by Raphael, made by Hanns Hanfstaengl in the 19th century. Here, the Virgin Mary descends from the heavens, holding the Christ Child, flanked by Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara, while cherubic figures gaze upwards. The Madonna's image, imbued with divine motherhood, carries echoes of ancient goddesses, reshaped through the lens of Christian dogma. The cherubs at the bottom, seemingly innocent, have roots in pagan imagery, evolving from winged figures of antiquity. Their presence, though transformed, reveals a lingering connection to pre-Christian beliefs, illustrating how symbols migrate and adapt across cultures. It evokes a sense of collective memory, where primal archetypes resurface in new forms. The upward gaze of the saints, heavy with reverence, evokes a deeply human yearning for the divine, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level. This image represents the cyclical nature of symbols and their capacity to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.