Visitatie 1685 - 1735

Jan van Orley created this print depicting the Visitation, likely in the early 18th century. Note the embrace between Mary and Elizabeth, a visual echo resonating through centuries of Christian art. Here, it’s not just a greeting, it’s an acknowledgment of the divine. The swelling womb, a symbol of potential, becomes a sacred vessel. Consider the parrot hanging above, often symbolizing wisdom or prophecy. This feathered oracle hints at the momentous future about to unfold. The embrace itself, a motif that appears time and again, from classical depictions of familial affection to the tender moments in Renaissance paintings. Think of the countless depictions of mothers and children, each embrace a microcosm of love, protection, and the unbroken chain of humanity. The parrot, too, has migrated through time, its symbolism evolving. Once a symbol of status and exoticism, here it chirps with divine approval, suggesting that even the natural world recognizes the profound spiritual event taking place. This enduring image, layered with history and imbued with emotion, continues to resonate, tapping into our collective memory.