Maria met kind staand in kribbe, en Elisabet met Johannes 1632 - 1693

Francois de Poilly created this engraving of Maria and Elisabeth with their children, a scene brimming with understated yet powerful symbols. Halos encircle the heads of the holy figures, signifying divine status and spiritual illumination. This iconography is a direct descendant of Byzantine mosaics, where golden haloes similarly elevated sacred figures, setting them apart from the earthly realm. The motif transcends centuries, reappearing in Renaissance paintings and Baroque sculptures, each time reinforcing the subject's sanctity and connection to the divine. Interestingly, the halo's circular form mirrors the sun, an ancient symbol of life, rebirth, and cosmic order. The image taps into our collective memory, evoking a sense of reverence and awe. It’s a continuous thread linking our present to the deep-seated cultural and psychological need to visualize the sacred.