Madonna with the Rosary 1485

This anonymous woodcut, "Madonna with the Rosary," was made in 1485. It presents us with a visual encapsulation of late medieval piety, expressed through the popular devotion to the Virgin Mary and the rosary. The image creates meaning through a combination of visual codes and cultural references. The central figure of the Madonna and Child is surrounded by a rosary of floral roundels, each depicting scenes from the life of Christ and Mary. This reflects the growing importance of the rosary as a form of personal devotion in the 15th century. The text below, though difficult to read now, would have provided instructions and prayers for reciting the rosary. Given the historical context, this woodcut likely served a didactic purpose, instructing the faithful in the practice of the rosary and reinforcing the Church's teachings. As art historians, we can draw on printed books and religious treatises of the period to understand the cultural and institutional history embedded in this image. Understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production gives us a better insight into the public role of art in the late 15th century.