The Virgin from 'Christ, Mary and the Apostles' 1585 - 1615

Antonio Tempesta etched ‘The Virgin from Christ, Mary and the Apostles’ in the late 16th or early 17th century. The Virgin Mary stands, arms outstretched, in a gesture of welcome, the Latin inscription "Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum" floating above her head. This posture echoes the ancient orant figure, a posture of prayer and supplication found in early Christian art and even pagan antiquity. Think of the frescoes in the Roman catacombs, where figures with raised arms symbolized the soul's ascent to the divine. This gesture, laden with hope, transcends time and culture, reappearing in various forms, imbued with the collective yearning for transcendence. But consider also the shift in meaning. In earlier contexts, it signified humility and seeking divine intervention. Here, Mary embodies a powerful intercessor, a mediator between humanity and God. The simple act of raising one's arms becomes a potent symbol, molded by centuries of faith and evolving theological interpretations. The emotional resonance of this posture, the plea for solace, continues to engage us, tapping into a deep well of shared human experience.