Kind met beschermengel 1622 - 1648

This is an engraving titled "Child with Guardian Angel," made by an anonymous artist. The print depicts a winged angel, often interpreted as feminine due to the flowing dress, guiding a child, their hand firmly held, through a rugged landscape. During this period, representations of angels were strategically deployed to reflect complex societal attitudes toward religion, childhood, and gender. Angels symbolized not just divine protection but also the era's emphasis on innocence and vulnerability, particularly regarding children, while the angel's androgynous presentation invites us to consider the fluidity of gender roles and the spiritual authority vested in feminine figures. Consider how the rugged, almost threatening landscape contrasts with the serene guidance of the angel, mirroring the precariousness of life and the hope for divine intervention. This image serves as a powerful reminder of the human desire for protection, guidance, and the search for meaning in uncertain times.