Mary and Elizabeth 

Carl Bloch, a 19th-century Danish artist, captured this scene of Mary and Elizabeth with oil on canvas. The composition pulls us into a moment of intimate exchange between the two women, staged on classical architecture using a palette of soft greens, reds and blues. Look at the spatial relationships and the way Bloch uses vertical lines to structure the encounter. The strong verticality is softened by the gentle curves of the figures. The subtle interplay between light and shadow casts a contemplative mood. Note the lilies. Bloch presents us with symbols and signs. How might we interpret the presence of these symbolic elements? The lilies become visual cues that enrich the narrative. The architectural setting serves more than just a backdrop; it suggests a stage where gestures and gazes become the primary means of communication. In this meeting, Bloch invites us to consider not just the story, but the very structure of encounter and recognition itself.