Madonna and Child in a Rosary c. 1480

This woodcut print presents the Madonna and Child encircled by a rosary of flowers and symbolic figures. Within this devotional image, the radiant halo behind the Virgin signifies divinity, a visual motif traceable to ancient sun gods, appropriated here to denote spiritual enlightenment. The surrounding rosary, teeming with flowers and characters, brings to mind the cyclical nature of prayer and life itself. Note the eagle and the angel, emblems that evoke religious narratives and the divine presence. In contrast, the strange creatures at the bottom echo the illuminated manuscripts of past centuries, where marginalia served as a space for imagination. These symbols, deeply rooted in collective memory, appear and reappear across cultures, their meanings evolving, yet always retaining echoes of their origin. This Madonna, framed by her rosary, is not merely a religious icon; she is a vessel carrying centuries of symbolic weight, engaging our subconscious with her timeless story.