Madonna in Glory Crowned by Angels (Schr. 1111c) 15th century

This woodcut of the Madonna and Child was created by an anonymous artist in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. The print reflects a period when the Catholic Church was central to European life. The composition, with angels crowning Mary, elevates her to a divine status. The woodcut's graphic style, typical of the era, allowed for mass production and distribution, influencing religious devotion among the populace. It presents a visual manifestation of the Church’s teachings on the role of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. The Reformation, with its critique of religious imagery and the veneration of saints, was soon to challenge these depictions. Historical resources, such as period pamphlets and theological texts, aid in understanding the print’s significance. As historians, we can examine its place within a shifting religious and social landscape.