Figure of the Virgin 1889

Timothy Cole created this engraving titled "Figure of the Virgin." Cole was working during a time of shifting religious and social norms, and his art reflects a deep engagement with traditional iconography. Here, the Virgin Mary is depicted with a halo, her hands crossed, and eyes lifted in what appears to be prayer or supplication. There's a tension in this image, as the traditional representation of Mary is infused with a sense of human vulnerability. Cole captures an emotional and personal dimension to the figure. This portrayal invites us to reflect on the complexities of female identity within religious contexts. Does she represent strength, resilience, or perhaps the burdens placed upon women within patriarchal religious structures? Consider how the Virgin Mary's image has been used to shape and reflect societal expectations of women, and whether Cole's work challenges or reinforces these representations.