The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Attendant Saints 1697 - 1732

Antonio Gionima created this pen and brown ink and wash drawing, "The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Attendant Saints," during the height of the Baroque period. In the religious, patriarchal society of the 18th century, the Virgin Mary was the paramount symbol of motherhood. Yet, here she is surrounded not only by saints, but also by children, as if the future of the church literally rests in the hands of its youngest members. While Gionima adheres to the traditional representation of Mary enthroned, the image of an androgynous Christ-child and the cherubic figures gazing down from above suggest a re-imagining of familial and religious hierarchies. As we consider the historical constraints placed upon women, and, in particular, the idolization of motherhood within the Catholic church, we must also acknowledge the silent narratives and unspoken desires of those whose voices are often unheard. In focusing on children, Gionima hints at a world of innocence and purity, subtly challenging the power dynamics of his time.