Christ Blessing the Virgin c. 1450

Master ES created this engraving, "Christ Blessing the Virgin" in the mid-15th century, during a time of immense religious and social change in Europe. The work depicts the coronation of the Virgin Mary by Christ, a popular theme reflecting the growing veneration of Mary within the Catholic Church. Master ES places the crowning of the Virgin in a celestial space, attended by angels, and watched over by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the divine sanction of Mary's elevated status. This imagery is not just about religious doctrine; it also touches on contemporary notions of gender and power. Mary's coronation can be seen as a symbol of female authority and influence within a patriarchal religious structure. It invites contemplation on the roles ascribed to women, then and now, within religious and societal frameworks. The print transforms devotional practice into an emotional encounter with questions of power, divinity, and gender.