Madonna zittend op de maansikkel c. 1630

This is Cornelis Bloemaert’s "Madonna zittend op de maansikkel" from the 17th century, rendered with fine lines in an engraving. The composition immediately draws your eye to the Madonna and Child, framed by a radiant halo and seated upon a crescent moon. Notice how Bloemaert uses line and form to create a sense of ethereal weight. The Madonna's robes are voluminous, yet the delicate lines keep the figure from feeling heavy. The radiating lines of the halo, contrasted with the solid form of the moon, create a visual tension, destabilizing our sense of space. The Madonna as ‘seated on the moon’ elevates her, challenging earthly constraints. Consider the semiotic implications of the crescent moon beneath her feet, traditionally a symbol of the Virgin Mary’s purity and dominion. Yet, here, it also serves as a structural base, literally supporting the central figure. This detail invites us to reflect on how religious symbols can simultaneously reinforce and transcend established meanings.