Maria mit dem Kind auf einer Wolke über die Schlange triumphierend (Maria Immaculata) 1663

Carlo Maratti created this drawing, *Maria mit dem Kind auf einer Wolke über die Schlange triumphierend (Maria Immaculata)*, with chalk. The Immaculate Conception, the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin, gained prominence in the 17th century. Here, Maratti presents us with a vision deeply rooted in the religious and cultural climate of his time, reinforcing ideals of female purity and divine motherhood. Consider how Mary is positioned: she is floating above the snake, which symbolizes evil. She embodies an ideal of womanhood that is both exalted and burdened by expectations of piety. At the same time, the vulnerability and tenderness in Mary's embrace of the Christ Child is very relatable. The drawing invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between power, gender, and the burdens of religious symbolism.