Maria met kind in de Notre-Dame de Saint-Sigisbert te Nancy before 1896

This monochrome photograph captures a statue of the Virgin Mary with the Christ child, set within the Notre-Dame de Saint-Sigisbert in Nancy. The sculpture of Mary holding her son is framed by angels, symbols that stretch back to antiquity. Winged figures appear in Mesopotamian, Ancient Greek, and Roman art. They often represent divine messengers. In a Christian context, angels signify divine intervention, embodying hope and guidance. The motif of the Madonna and Child has its roots in pre-Christian iconography, echoing images of mother goddesses cradling their infants. This archetype transcends cultures. Think of Isis with Horus in ancient Egypt, an image of maternal protection and divine power. The continuous return and adaptation of this imagery throughout history reveal a deep-seated yearning for protection and love. This primal emotional connection is something we can all relate to. These symbols cycle through time, echoing our shared human experience across the ages.