Gekroonde Maria 1610 - 1650

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving of the crowned Virgin Mary, an archetypal figure whose symbolism resonates through centuries. Mary’s crown, radiating with divine light, marks her as the Queen of Heaven, a motif echoing ancient goddesses crowned with stars, seen in both Egyptian and Roman iconography. Her regal pose and the scepter she holds are symbols of power and sovereignty, reminiscent of royal figures across cultures. Consider, for instance, how similar emblems of authority appear in depictions of Isis or even much later in secular rulers. The gesture of her hands, one holding the scepter and the other resting gently, speaks to a balance of power and maternal grace. It’s as if these symbols are vessels carrying collective memories, each use adding layers of meaning, continually reshaping our understanding of power, divinity, and the feminine ideal.