Maria met Kind en de jonge Johannes de Doper 1622 - 1691

Lorenzo Loli created this print, “Mary with Child and the young John the Baptist,” sometime in the 17th century. Prints like this one by Loli, produced in Italy, were often devotional images used to reinforce the cultural power of the Catholic Church. Notice the halos, a visual code that separates the holy figures from the everyday world. The composition is an oval, a shape that softens the edges, making it more intimate and less imposing than a square or rectangle. How does Loli use line and shading to create a sense of depth and emotion? The melancholy of Mary, the innocence of the children; these were meant to evoke feelings of piety in the viewer. Art history helps us understand the role of images within specific social and religious contexts. Examining sources from the time, such as religious pamphlets, personal letters, and institutional records, gives us insights into how art was used to shape beliefs and behaviors.