Kroning van Maria 1638 - 1658

Cornelis Visscher created this print, The Coronation of Mary, in the mid-17th century using engraving techniques. It wasn’t painting or sculpture, but printmaking, a process deeply linked to the rise of the merchant class. Think about the labor involved, the skilled hand meticulously cutting lines into a copper plate, the physical effort of running it through a press. The fine lines create the illusion of light and shadow, defining the figures of Mary and Jesus surrounded by cherubic angels. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the artwork, bearing witness to the process. Engravings like this were a form of mass media, a way to disseminate religious imagery and artistic ideas to a wider audience. This speaks to the democratization of art, a shift away from exclusive patronage towards a market-based system. Considering the materials and processes, we see how deeply this image is intertwined with its time, reflecting both the religious fervor and the burgeoning capitalist system of 17th century Europe.