Maria op maansikkel 1740

Giovanni Cattini created this image of Maria op maansikkel, or Mary on the crescent moon, in the 18th century using etching. The image presents the Virgin Mary, bathed in light and attended by cherubic angels, standing serenely on a crescent moon. This depiction fits within the cultural context of the period, where Marian devotion was closely intertwined with baroque artistic expression. The image reflects a deeply gendered understanding of the divine and of female virtue. Mary is not just a religious figure, she embodies ideals of purity, motherhood, and intercession. The moon on which she stands is a traditional symbol, evoking ideas of change, cycles, and feminine power. The details of the animals present in the image add an additional layer of meaning. While the scene radiates a sense of peace and divine order, it subtly reinforces existing social hierarchies. It reminds us of the emotional power embedded in religious iconography.