Saint Martina kneeling before the Virgin and Child, as the Child offers her a lily 1659 - 1681

François Spierre created this image of Saint Martina kneeling before the Virgin and Child in the 17th century. The most striking motif here is the lily offered by the Christ Child to Saint Martina. The lily, emblem of purity and innocence, has ancient roots, appearing in classical art as a symbol of hope and renewal. Yet, its association with the Virgin Mary solidified its meaning in Christian iconography. Think of countless Annunciation scenes where Gabriel presents Mary with a lily, signifying her immaculate conception. Here, this gesture connects the saint to the divine, symbolizing her spiritual purity and readiness to receive grace. Consider how the emotional weight of such symbols endures: the longing for purity, the hope for divine connection—echoes of human desires across millennia. These symbols are not static; they evolve, accumulating layers of meaning, speaking to our collective memory. Each new context enriches the symbol, revealing the depths of human experience.