The Coronation of the Virgin; surrounded by nine vignettes with scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin 1520 - 1582

Giorgio Ghisi made this engraving of the Coronation of the Virgin, surrounded by scenes from the life of Christ, in Rome in 1575. The image operates within a complex web of cultural references and institutional expectations. Ghisi was working at a time when the Catholic Church was re-asserting its authority through the visual arts. In the wake of the Protestant Reformation, religious imagery became a powerful tool for reaffirming core doctrines. Ghisi's print participates in this project by presenting an idealized vision of heavenly order, with Christ crowning his mother as Queen of Heaven. Around this central scene are nine vignettes of the life of Christ. The image is overtly conservative and seeks to reinforce the power of the church through traditional iconography. The setting in Rome, the seat of Papal authority, further emphasizes the institutional context in which the print was produced. To truly understand this work, we need to delve into the religious and political history of 16th century Italy. By consulting archival sources, theological treatises, and art historical scholarship, we can gain deeper insights into the social conditions that shaped its creation and reception.