Virgin and Child, with Tobias and the Angel, from Cabinet Reynst c. 1655 - 1658

Cornelis Visscher created this print, "Virgin and Child, with Tobias and the Angel, from Cabinet Reynst" in the mid-17th century. The image is structured around contrasts: light versus shadow, near versus far, human versus nature, and stillness versus movement. The Virgin and Child are positioned centrally, bathed in light, which accentuates their serene stillness. Notice how Visscher masterfully uses line and shadow to create depth, pushing the background elements—Tobias, the angel, and the distant landscape—into a receding space. This use of chiaroscuro not only enhances the three-dimensionality but also imbues the scene with a sense of the mystical. Mary is portrayed as both human and divine, engaging with her child. The figures of Tobias and the angel on the left, serve as secondary characters in the composition, deepening the narrative. The delicate balance between the detailed foreground and the ethereal background invites a contemplative viewing experience.