Madonna op de maansikkel c. 1506 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer created this small engraving of the Madonna on the Crescent Moon in the early 16th century. During this time, there was a surge in the cult of the Virgin Mary. The print merges traditional religious iconography with an emotional, human portrayal. Mary is depicted as the Queen of Heaven, standing on a crescent moon with a radiant crown, yet she also embodies a tender, maternal image as she cradles the infant Jesus. Altdorfer, positioned in a patriarchal society, likely intended to reinforce prevailing societal values and the role of women as mothers. However, there may be a subtle challenge to these norms. Mary's serene, almost stoic expression contrasts with the vulnerability typically associated with motherhood. The image resonates emotionally due to its blend of divine and human elements, reflecting the complex interplay between religious devotion and personal experience during the Renaissance.