Aartsengel Gabriël met lelie 1500 - 1575

This is an engraving of the Archangel Gabriel with a Lily, made by an anonymous artist. Imagine the cultural backdrop against which this image was created. Angels, especially Gabriel, occupy a complex space in the religious imagination, often depicted as androgynous beings, embodying both masculine strength and feminine grace. Here, Gabriel is softer, almost gentle. The lily he carries isn't just a symbol of purity, but also hints at themes of fertility, motherhood, and transformation. Who was this artist, and what might their intentions have been? Perhaps this was an attempt to re-gender or soften what was a more traditionally masculine figure? The artist seems to be inviting us to reconsider the multifaceted nature of divinity, urging us to embrace a vision that transcends conventional boundaries.