Fotoreproductie van een prent naar een schilderij, voorstellende de Madonna van de heilige Hiëronymus before 1887

This is a photographic reproduction of a print after a painting depicting the Madonna and Saint Jerome. The image captures the Madonna looking upwards, a symbol deeply embedded in the collective memory of the Renaissance. This upward gaze, a motif that echoes through centuries, is not merely a compositional element. It is a window into the soul, a manifestation of profound emotional intensity. The Madonna, in her upward glance, references classical antiquity, where similar postures signified divine inspiration. The pathos formula, the emotional language of art, finds a powerful expression here. This formula transcends mere representation; it taps into deep, subconscious responses, engaging viewers on a primal level. Consider, too, the veil, framing her face. It's a symbol that mutates over time, signifying purity, mourning, or mystery, depending on the epoch and its cultural currents. This shows how symbols evolve, resurfacing with altered yet recognizable meanings in an ever-repeating cycle.