Virgin and Child with a Book and Two Angels c. 18th century

Editor: This is Giovanni Volpato’s "Virgin and Child with a Book and Two Angels." It feels like a very tender image. What do you see in this print? Curator: The enduring symbolism here, inherited from centuries of religious art, speaks volumes. The Virgin, the Christ Child, angels, the book - each is a layered signifier. What emotions are evoked by these visual cues? Editor: Well, the book makes me think of knowledge and scripture. And the angels suggest innocence and divinity. Curator: Precisely. This tableau leverages shared cultural understanding, and connects us with traditions far beyond Volpato’s time. Consider how the artist employs these familiar symbols to invite contemplation, a sense of reverence, and continuity. What do you make of that? Editor: I hadn't considered how deliberately Volpato was drawing on shared cultural understanding. Curator: Indeed, these archetypes continue to resonate.