Madonna op de maansikkel 1478 - 1482

The Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet etched this small plate, "Madonna on the Crescent Moon," likely in the 1480s, using drypoint on metal. The image presents a classic Northern Renaissance interpretation of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven. The Madonna stands serenely on a crescent moon, a halo of stars around her head. Her downcast eyes suggest humility, while the Christ Child gazes outward, a symbol of hope for the faithful. Made in the Netherlands, a region then deeply influenced by religious devotion, this print reflects the era's intense spiritual climate. Art production was often commissioned by religious institutions or wealthy patrons seeking to demonstrate piety. The image would have functioned both as a devotional object, and a status symbol. Understanding this artwork demands that we research the period's religious art market, the specific symbolism of the crescent moon, and the cult of the Virgin Mary. It is through historical context that we can fully appreciate this work.