Madonna met kind op de maansikkel 16th century

This engraving of the Madonna and Child on the Crescent Moon was made anonymously. Notice how the composition is vertically oriented and dominated by the figures of Mary and the infant Jesus. The artist has rendered the scene with fine, detailed lines, creating a rich texture and sense of depth. Light emanates from behind Mary, framing her in a halo of divine radiance that casts long shadows and accentuates the folds in her robe. This use of light and shadow is not merely decorative but serves a structural purpose. It directs the viewer's eye, emphasizing the central figures and creating a visual hierarchy. The Madonna stands on a crescent moon, a symbol of purity and the Church's triumph over darkness. The artist destabilizes conventional meaning by placing the figures in an ethereal, dreamlike space. The image challenges fixed meanings, inviting contemplation and questioning traditional religious iconography.