Death of the Virgin before 1604

Editor: This print, "Death of the Virgin" by Hieronymus Wierix, shows the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and what appears to be God himself. The scene feels intensely emotional. What social or historical narratives do you think this piece engages with? Curator: It's powerful, isn't it? Beyond the overt religious narrative, consider how the print idealizes female suffering and piety. Wierix presents a vision of womanhood centered on purity and acceptance of death, reinforcing societal expectations of women’s roles. What does that make you think about the role of women in religious and artistic production at this time? Editor: That makes me think about the lack of female perspective, even in a scene about the Virgin Mary. Curator: Precisely. And how this impacts the representation of women within religious and social structures. These idealized depictions often serve to reinforce power dynamics. Editor: I never considered the social implications of these scenes before. Thanks for helping me understand this beyond the surface.