Madonna c. 19th century

Curator: This engraving, titled "Madonna," was created by Manuel Esquivel Sotomayor. Look at the detail! Editor: It’s striking, yes, but there’s also a stillness to it. Almost like a dream suspended in amber. Curator: The Madonna is a figure that’s been replicated and reworked across art history. She is a symbol of not just motherhood, but also purity and innocence. Editor: It’s the halo that seals the deal for me, I think. It makes her stand out from everyone else. Curator: Haloes, in early Christian iconography, symbolized sanctity, divine light radiating from holy figures. Editor: Hmm, sanctity… yes, I see that. But also a sense of melancholy. Like she knows more than we do, and it’s a heavy burden. Curator: Perhaps that's the burden of prophecy and divine purpose. Editor: It is hard to argue with divine purpose, but I still see sadness in her eyes. An interesting piece overall.