Gezicht op Marktbrunnen, te Mainz 1872

This print depicts the Marktbrunnen in Mainz, a sculpted fountain in the town’s market square. The fountain is topped by a figure of the Virgin Mary, an instantly recognizable symbol of the town's devotion and religious identity. This Marian iconography extends back through medieval Christianity, yet it is a motif that echoes even older, pre-Christian symbols of female power and fertility. These symbols tap into our deepest subconscious, evoking feelings of protection, nourishment, and the cyclical rhythms of life. In the Renaissance, we see the rise of humanism, a shift towards reason and individualism, and the Virgin Mary, while remaining a central figure, begins to share the stage with secular figures from classical mythology. In this print, the careful detail given to her robes hints at a continued desire to convey her divinity and grace. Thus, the image embodies the eternal return of symbols, evolving through time, yet retaining their capacity to resonate with the collective memory of humanity.