Fotoreproductie van een schilderij door Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, voorstellend de Onbevlekte Ontvangenis van Maria c. 1857 - 1880

This is a photograph by Juan Laurent, capturing Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's painting of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The photograph translates the painting into shades of grey, emphasizing the composition's dramatic contrast. Mary is depicted in a full-length view, surrounded by cherubic figures and clouds. The photograph's composition draws heavily on established visual codes. The arrangement of figures and the use of light and shadow create a sense of depth and movement, leading the eye upward towards Mary. The formal structure employs a hierarchical arrangement, typical of religious iconography, where Mary is elevated both physically and metaphorically. Laurent’s photograph functions as a sign, reproducing and re-presenting Murillo's original work. It invites us to consider how meaning is constructed through visual representation and the cultural codes that shape our understanding of such images. The photograph is not merely a copy, but a reinterpretation that engages with ideas of representation, authenticity, and the ongoing dialogue between art and its audience.