Oude bedelende vrouw gezeten voor de basiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Scherpenheuvel 1883

Charles Mertens rendered this etching of an old beggar woman seated before the Basilica of Scherpenheuvel. The woman's dark cloak, a symbol of mourning and perhaps destitution, contrasts sharply with the basilica, a beacon of hope and spiritual solace. This juxtaposition evokes a timeless question: how does faith intersect with earthly suffering? Think of medieval depictions of the Virgin Mary, often cloaked in blue, a color of divinity, yet her face etched with sorrow. Her image, like this woman’s, invites contemplation of pain and resilience. The gesture of her clasped hands, repeated in countless images across cultures—from praying monks to grieving mothers—speaks to a universal plea for comfort. This simple act carries an emotional weight, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It reminds us that symbols evolve, yet their core emotional power endures.