Maria met Christuskind op een halve maan en de heilige Bernardus 1601 - 1654

This engraving of Maria with Christ Child on a Crescent Moon and Saint Bernard was created by Jaspar de Isaac, an artist working in the 17th century. The image captures a cultural moment deeply rooted in religious devotion and the veneration of female figures. The Virgin Mary stands regally on a crescent moon, a symbol often associated with purity and her role as Queen of Heaven, holding the Christ Child, a representation of hope. On the right, Saint Bernard is kneeling in prayer. The placement of Mary above the moon also speaks to the patriarchal structures of the time, where the feminine divine was elevated, yet still symbolically separated from earthly power. These traditional representations invite us to reflect on the intertwined dynamics of religious faith, gender, and power.