Maria met kind zittend op een troon, omgeven door engelen 1425 - 1475

This sculpture depicts Mary with child sitting on a throne, surrounded by angels. The Virgin Mary, seated regally, presents her son, surrounded by angels, some playing musical instruments, all beneath a draped canopy held aloft. The motif of the Madonna enthroned traces back to ancient Roman depictions of emperors and goddesses, symbols of power and divinity. Here, Mary is transformed into a queen of heaven. This echoes in Byzantine art, where Mary is often depicted as the Theotokos, the God-bearer, seated on a throne. Note the angels that hold a piece of draping; this act, seen also in classical depictions of emperors, connects to pre-Christian times when it signified divine protection and sacred space. Observe the gestures and postures of reverence and adoration, deeply ingrained in our collective memory and subconscious. These enduring images continue to resonate, evolving through time, reflecting our deepest fears, hopes, and desires.