Madonna and Child c. 1475 - 1500

This is a woodcut print of the Madonna and Child by an anonymous artist; its small size suggests it was made for personal devotion. The virgin is crowned and surrounded by a halo; she holds the infant Christ in an intimate embrace. The Madonna and Child motif is a potent symbol in Christian art, echoing the ancient archetype of the mother goddess nurturing her son. The crown is a symbol of her queenship and the halo signifies holiness, both of which are often present in similar depictions of divine figures in other cultural traditions, such as Isis and Horus in ancient Egypt. The motif's recurrence transcends time, each era reinterpreting the bond between mother and child, tapping into our collective memory of love, protection, and sacrifice. The image evokes a visceral, psychological response, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level as it resurfaces in different contexts, constantly evolving, echoing through history.