Virgin and Child with Saint John 1575

Diana Scultori created this print, *Virgin and Child with Saint John* in Rome around 1580. Dominating the foreground is the tender scene of the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, while Saint John kneels in reverence, holding a scroll marked with prophetic words. Consider the motif of the child saint, a symbol of innocence and divine foresight. This figure can be traced back to ancient Roman depictions of putti, winged child-figures, in both form and symbology. The putto embodies the spirit of love and guidance, echoing through centuries in art. The Virgin’s veiled head harkens back to classical images of veiled goddesses and matrons, figures that transcend the boundaries of religious meaning. This gesture, repeated through centuries, is laden with emotional and psychological weight. The cyclical nature of these symbols reveals that cultural memory doesn't progress in a linear fashion, but rather resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.