Kroning van de heilige Stefanus 1660 - 1692

Pietro Aquila created this print, "Coronation of Saint Stephen," around the late 17th century. Encapsulated within an oval frame, the composition presents a scene of divine coronation, rendered with precise lines and contrasting textures. Notice how Aquila uses the oval to create a world within a world? Stephen kneels in earthly tones. Angels in the upper portion float on clouds, ready to crown Stephen with a wreath of leaves. The work plays with dualities: earthly and heavenly realms, dark and light, weight and weightlessness. It encourages us to question our understanding of space, form, and the semiotic meanings of religious iconography. The formal structure supports its cultural context. The print engages with how we, as viewers, interpret religious narratives through visual cues. It serves as a point of ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.