Maria met Kind omringd door heiligen 1752

This monochrome print, "Maria met Kind omringd door heiligen," was created by Etienne Fessard in the 18th century. The symmetrical composition, framed by architectural columns, draws our eyes to the centrally placed Virgin Mary and Child. This ordered arrangement of figures and cherubic heads evokes a sense of harmony and balance. The linear quality of the engraving technique lends a classical austerity to the scene. Fessard uses line to define form, texture, and spatial relationships, creating a complex interplay of light and shadow. The detailed rendering, typical of reproductive prints of the era, invites a closer examination of the artist's technique, with a specific attention to how he captures the essence of the original painting through a different medium. It is important to recognize that this image, beyond its religious subject matter, represents a sophisticated system of signs. Through the formal structure of the print, we see an engagement with the values of the period. This highlights the cultural and philosophical discourse that shaped its making and reception.