The Virgin and Child in the clouds surrounded by angels and Sts Cosmas and Damian, Cecilia, Secondo and Marina 1637 - 1677

Valentin Lefèvre created this drawing of the Virgin and Child surrounded by saints and angels in the 17th century. The upward gaze and kneeling figures draw us into the spiritual realm, where saints ascend on swirling clouds. The clouds themselves carry symbolic weight, appearing as early as ancient Greek art, as a separation between the earthly and divine. Consider how, even in early Mesopotamian art, gods were often depicted on mountain tops, above the mortal realm. We see the emotional power of the ascension motif in countless works throughout history, from the Assumption of Mary by Titian to the more modern works of Odilon Redon. The act of looking upwards triggers a primeval response, connecting us to the hope of transcendence. This shared visual language transcends time, speaking to our collective desire to bridge the gap between earthly existence and the heavens. Lefèvre masterfully evokes this yearning, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to stir our deepest emotions and connect us to the past.