Maria met kind aanbeden door een bisschop 1589 - 1615

Lucas Kilian created this engraving, "Maria met kind aanbeden door een bisschop," during a period of religious and social upheaval in Europe. It reflects the complex dynamics between religious authority and personal devotion. The image depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ child, adored by a bishop. Kilian masterfully renders the scene with a tender quality, emphasizing Mary’s humanity. The bishop's presence introduces themes of power and institutional religion. How does the weight of religious doctrine impact one’s relationship with the divine? This piece invites us to consider the role of women in religious narratives. Mary, often idealized, is here presented with a sense of maternal care. Consider how her identity as a mother intersects with her spiritual significance. Kilian's engraving offers a space for exploring the tensions between established religious narratives and the lived experiences of individuals.