Maria met kind zittend op een troon 1470 - 1531

Girolamo Mocetto created this engraving of the Virgin and Child, sometime between the late 15th and early 16th century, in Venice, Italy. Mocetto’s figures exist within the religious and artistic conventions of his time; yet this piece still speaks to our contemporary moment. Mary sits enthroned, draped in voluminous fabric, holding the infant Jesus. The Madonna, in this time, was more than just a religious symbol; she represented an ideal of womanhood, motherhood, and purity. Mocetto’s representation of Mary, both divine and human, reflects the complex status of women in Renaissance society. While revered for their roles as mothers, they were simultaneously excluded from positions of power. Look closely and consider the cultural context and enduring questions about female representation, divinity, and the human condition that this piece invites.