Heilige Franciscus en Rosa van Viterbo bidden tot Maria met kind 1850s

This print, made by Franz Maria Ingenmey, presents a scene dominated by a hierarchical composition of figures in muted tones. The arrangement immediately establishes a visual order, drawing the eye upwards from the kneeling figures of Saint Francis and Rose of Viterbo to the ethereal vision of Mary and child. The image is structured around a contrast between earthly supplication and divine revelation, and it creates a sense of spiritual ascension. The use of grayscale and the meticulous rendering of light and shadow define forms and textures, suggesting a deeper semiotic interplay. The angels and saints are visual signs that invite interpretation within the context of religious iconography, reflecting prevailing cultural codes. The print uses visual language to reinforce the notion of divine hierarchy and the intermediary role of saints. The formal structure of the artwork, with its clear delineation of space and figures, reinforces its narrative and symbolic content. It invites us to consider not only the religious narrative but also the broader cultural discourse on faith and devotion in which it participates.