Maria op de maansikkel 1565 - 1630

This is Antonio Tempesta's "Maria op de maansikkel," an engraving of modest dimensions at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is dominated by the Virgin Mary, whose form and placement within the artwork create a profound visual and symbolic experience. She is standing on a crescent moon surrounded by cherubic figures, and light emanates from behind her. The artist uses line and form to create a sense of elevation and spiritual presence. Her robes, rendered with fine lines, cascade to the lunar surface, suggesting both earthly connection and transcendence. The cherubs surrounding Mary are not merely decorative but are integral to a semiotic system of heavenly ascent. The radiating lines emphasize her as the focal point, suggesting a hierachical structure. Through form and composition, Tempesta evokes not only religious veneration but also invites the viewer to consider the structural elements that underpin our understanding of divinity.