Coronation of the Virgin with the Trinity and Saints c. 1440

This painted miniature by the Olivetan Master depicts the Coronation of the Virgin with the Trinity and Saints. The dominant motif is the act of crowning itself, where Christ crowns his mother as the Holy Trinity looks over. This gesture symbolizes Mary's ascension to Queen of Heaven, a powerful declaration of her status. Consider the act of crowning. We see echoes of it across time. From ancient Roman emperors to medieval rulers, bestowing a crown symbolized legitimacy and power. Here, it is not earthly power, but spiritual authority being conveyed. The Virgin Mary’s crown represents her unique role in salvation, and the divine grace conferred upon her. The coronation is not a static event; its meaning has shifted. Originally highlighting Mary's role as the Mother of God, the coronation later emphasized her queenship and intercessory power. This evolution reflects the complex, cyclical nature of symbols, always in flux, always speaking to both conscious and unconscious desires and beliefs.