Madonna with the Parrots 1533

Editor: Here we have Hans Baldung’s "Madonna with the Parrots," an oil painting from 1533. I find the parrots somewhat unusual in this iconic scene. What might they symbolize here? Curator: Indeed, the parrots command our attention. The Madonna, a timeless symbol of motherhood and divine grace, is here infused with an interesting array of parrots. Parrots have been used as a symbol of virginity because the parrot is said to reproduce without sexual congress. Further, parrots were kept as precious pets. Is Baldung referencing an elevated status with parrots, conflating precious pets with elevated motherhood? Editor: That’s fascinating. I’m still grappling with what these particular avian symbols contribute to the emotional feel of the image. It seems almost playful? Curator: Precisely! Parrots are mimetic creatures, known for imitation. Are they perhaps echoing or even mocking the divine mystery unfolding before us? Look how their verdant plumage punctuates the otherwise somber palette. Or perhaps it represents Mary’s knowledge or even prophecy, which often repeats celestial law. What if we explore this continuity of memory, with Mary always listening for the will of her lord? Editor: That’s a side of Madonna imagery I hadn’t fully considered before. Thanks, it helps to deepen the experience of seeing this piece. Curator: My pleasure, it has revealed layers that are even now prompting a rich continuity within ourselves.