Maria met kind op de maansikkel 1497 - 1501

This print depicts Mary with Child, created by an anonymous artist, shows her standing on a crescent moon, a halo radiating around her head. This 'Madonna of the Crescent Moon' motif harkens back to ancient lunar deities, a visual echo of the past resonating in Christian iconography. The crescent beneath Mary's feet—a symbol of the Virgin's purity, yet also deeply rooted in the iconography of lunar goddesses like Isis or Diana. We see this syncretism, this blending of symbols, across cultures and eras. Mary's serene, almost melancholic gaze evokes a powerful emotional response, drawing viewers into a state of introspection. This artistic choice invites us to contemplate the deeper psychological dimensions of faith and motherhood. This symbol is not linear; its journey is cyclical, resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new layers of meaning as it traverses through history.