The Virgin and Child with Two Angels 1523

Lucas van Leyden made this engraving of the Virgin and Child with Two Angels sometime in the early 16th century. Consider the ways that religious imagery was changing in the Netherlands at this time. As a printmaker, Lucas was working in a relatively new medium, one that allowed for wider distribution of images beyond the patronage circles of the church or wealthy elites. The setting of the Virgin and Child within a natural landscape reflects the period's increasing interest in the natural world. Meanwhile, the inclusion of angels draws upon established religious traditions. Religious prints like this one played a significant role in shaping popular piety, offering accessible and affordable images for personal devotion. To understand the full impact of this image, we can examine the social and religious history of the Northern Renaissance, consulting archives, religious texts, and other visual sources to shed light on the cultural values and beliefs that shaped its creation and reception.