Allegory of the Immaculate Conception, with Adam, Eve, kings, priest, soldier and Moses tied at the bottom of a fig tree, and the Virgin sitting on cloud overhead, surrounded by angels 1611 - 1612

Philippe Thomassin’s “Allegory of the Immaculate Conception” (1611-1612) is a powerful engraving that presents the Virgin Mary as the ultimate victor over sin and death. Surrounded by angels in the upper portion of the composition, Mary appears as a radiant figure, free from earthly constraints, while below, figures representing Adam, Eve, kings, a priest, a soldier, and Moses are bound to a fig tree. This complex allegory, rooted in Catholic theology, highlights the concept of the Immaculate Conception, the belief that Mary was born free from original sin, and her role as the redeemer of humanity. This masterful engraving, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, demonstrates the artist’s skill in depicting both the spiritual and the earthly realms.