Maria 1640 - 1701

This engraving of Maria was made by Pierre Landry in the 17th century. Landry, working in France, produced many devotional images like this one. In this print, the figure of the Virgin Mary, identified as "Mater Dei" or Mother of God, is presented within an elaborate frame, which gives us an indication of how it was received by the public at the time. Images like this one were devotional objects but also a demonstration of the power of the church. Landry would have been acutely aware of the institutional frameworks that underpinned artistic production. To understand this image fully, we can look into the printmaking industry of 17th-century France. Research into archives such as the French Royal Academy can provide insight into the social conditions that shaped its production and reception. This helps us understand the values and beliefs circulating at the time.