Tomb Surmounted by the Madonna and Child in an Oval Wreath 1555 - 1567

Angiolo Falconetto created this engraving of a tomb surmounted by the Madonna and Child in an oval wreath in Italy sometime in the 16th century. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural values and artistic conventions of the time, particularly regarding death and religious devotion. The image itself creates meaning through a combination of visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Falconetto likely made this in Venice. We know that in the 16th century, Venice was a center of artistic innovation and religious piety, and the image of the Madonna and Child would have been instantly recognizable as a symbol of divine grace and maternal love. At the same time, the tomb is also a symbol of mortality. Understanding the social context in which Falconetto produced this print requires further investigation. By consulting historical archives, religious texts, and artistic treatises, we can gain deeper insights into the cultural meanings and social functions of images like this in 16th-century Italy.