Verheerlijking van Maria 1859 - 1916

Wilhelm Wörnle created this engraving, titled 'Verheerlijking van Maria,' using delicate lines to suggest volume, form and dramatic tone. The composition divides into celestial and earthly realms, unified by Maria's commanding gesture. Note how the vertical columns visually support the ascending figures, creating a structured rise toward the divine. Wörnle’s use of chiaroscuro—the contrast between light and dark—creates a theatrical effect, drawing our eyes to Maria, the ultimate source of light and hope. The print invites us to consider the structural underpinnings of faith and power, which are symbolically portrayed through the artful manipulation of light, shadow, and spatial organization. It is a visual discourse on the structures of belief and the artistic means used to reinforce them.