H. Lucas schildert Maria met kind 1835 - 1899

Johann Leonhard Raab made this print of "H. Lucas schildert Maria met kind" some time in the 19th century. This image presents Saint Luke, often regarded as the patron saint of artists, in the act of painting the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child. Its cultural significance resides in its articulation of the divine inspiration of art. Made in Germany, this piece reflects the 19th-century Nazarene movement, which sought a return to spiritual purity in art. It is an idealized depiction of religious creativity, linking the artist's work to the sacred, and the social function of art institutions like the Dusseldorf Academy, where Raab taught. The image thus perpetuates the cultural authority of art. To understand this print, we might consult religious texts, art historical scholarship on the Nazarenes, and archival material from institutions like the Dusseldorf Academy, tracing the relationship between art, religion, and power.