Madonna med aben 1498 - 1510

"Madonna med aben" is a 16th-century woodcut by the Monogrammist SH. This print, currently housed at the Statens Museum for Kunst, depicts the Virgin Mary and Child, with a chained monkey at their feet. The scene is set in a pastoral landscape, hinting at the innocence of the Virgin and Child. The inclusion of the monkey, often associated with sin and temptation, may symbolize the constant threat of evil lurking even in the most sacred moments. The detailed lines and stark contrasts typical of woodcut prints create a sense of both intimacy and grandeur.