Kroning van Maria door Christuskind 1607 - 1655

This drawing, made by Cornelis Schut, depicts the Coronation of the Virgin. Here, the Christ Child places a crown on his mother’s head, symbolizing her queenship in heaven, surrounded by a heavenly host of angels and saints. The motif of the crowning, has ancient roots; think of the Roman emperors receiving laurel wreaths. This gesture of bestowing a crown, a symbol of supreme authority, echoes through time. The Virgin Mary, in turn, becomes the Queen of Heaven, not unlike classical goddesses who were similarly exalted. Consider the potent, psychological underpinnings of this act: the coronation speaks to our deep-seated yearning for hierarchy and order, but also for maternal authority. This symbolic language is not linear. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings as our collective consciousness changes.