Madonna with the Child 1460

Petrus Christus painted this "Madonna with the Child," a panel painting, with oil on wood in the 15th century. The Virgin Mary is depicted in a tranquil setting, holding the infant Christ who carries an orb, a symbol of his dominion over the world. Above them, an angel prepares to crown Mary, signifying her role as Queen of Heaven. The orb, a potent symbol of earthly power since antiquity, transcends cultures and reappears in royal portraiture and ancient Roman art, where emperors held it to denote their rule. In this context, the orb signifies Christ's spiritual authority, a transformation of worldly power into divine sovereignty. This echoes in Byzantine iconography where emperors were depicted with similar globus crucigers. The emotional weight of this image lies in the tender, yet formal, presentation of Mary, imbued with a quiet dignity. The motif of the orb, carried by the Christ Child, embodies the cyclical progression of power, forever resurfacing and evolving through history, taking on new layers of meaning.