Hemelvaart van Maria 1630 - 1677

Adriaen Lommelin created this engraving, titled "Hemelvaart van Maria," or "The Ascension of Mary," in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-17th century. The image portrays the Virgin Mary being carried to heaven by angels, while below, the apostles gaze upwards in awe. This reflects the Catholic doctrine of the Assumption, which was not universally accepted at the time, especially in the Protestant Netherlands. Lommelin's choice to depict this scene suggests an alignment with Counter-Reformation ideals, a visual assertion of Catholic beliefs in a religiously divided society. Engravings like this played a crucial role in disseminating religious imagery, reinforcing faith, and visually asserting specific theological positions within a broader socio-political context. By examining the print’s visual style, circulation, and reception, we can understand the role of art in shaping religious identity and negotiating cultural differences in the 17th-century Netherlands. Examining religious treatises and pamphlets from the period will give us an even deeper understanding of the artwork.