The Virgin in Glory, standing on clouds and surrounded by angels holding the symbols of the Immaculate Conception 1595 - 1633

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving, "The Virgin in Glory, standing on clouds and surrounded by angels holding the symbols of the Immaculate Conception," sometime before his death in 1650. Galle was working during a period of Counter-Reformation, in which the Catholic Church sought to reassert its authority through art. Here, we see Mary elevated not just as a maternal figure, but as a powerful symbol of purity and divine grace. The imagery of the Immaculate Conception, emphasized by the surrounding angels, reinforces the Church’s doctrines and underscores the unique sanctity of Mary. Consider the emotional resonance this image might have had for viewers at the time. In an era marked by religious conflict, images like this served not only as devotional aids, but also as affirmations of faith and identity. It's a potent blend of the personal and the political, reflecting the Church's effort to connect with its followers on an emotional level and reinforce its spiritual authority.