Madonna van Loretto 1619 - 1675

"Madonna van Loretto" is a print by Lucas Vorsterman I, created in the 17th century. During this period, the Catholic Church played a central role in European society, and religious art was used to reinforce its teachings. In this image, we see the Virgin Mary and the infant Christ receiving pilgrims. The barefoot pilgrims, common people, kneel before Mary in supplication, their weathered faces turned upwards. Mary looks down at them with an expression of gentle compassion, which emphasizes her role as an intercessor between humanity and the divine. The contrast between the earthly pilgrims and the ethereal Madonna highlights the social hierarchies of the time, while also suggesting the potential for spiritual grace to transcend these divisions. The image speaks to the relationship between faith, gender, and social class. The print invites us to consider the ways in which religious imagery shapes our understanding of power, devotion, and the human condition.