Maria med barnet stående på måne 1545 - 1592

Christoph Schwarz created this drawing of the Virgin and Child in the late 16th century. It shows Mary standing on a crescent moon, holding the infant Jesus, and being crowned by angels, a popular motif during the Counter-Reformation. Schwarz was working in Augsburg, Germany, at a time of religious and political tension. As the Protestant Reformation spread, the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through art. Images of the Virgin Mary were central to this effort, emphasizing her role as intercessor and protector. The iconography of the Virgin standing on a crescent moon, referencing the Book of Revelation, symbolized her triumph over evil. Artists like Schwarz, trained in the traditions of the Renaissance, used these images to promote Catholic doctrine and inspire faith. A deeper understanding of the drawing requires knowledge of the religious history of 16th-century Europe. Examining theological treatises and the records of religious institutions can provide a richer appreciation of its cultural significance.