The Madonna on the Crescent Crowned by Two Angels

Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein

MEDIUMEngraving in black on buff laid paper
DIMENSIONS17.3 × 11 cm (6 13/16 × 4 3/8 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONPrints and Drawings
CULTUREGermany
CREDIT LINEEdna Wilhelmine Rose Fund

Pause to appreciate this early engraving by Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein, a delicate depiction of the Madonna on a crescent moon, crowned by two angels. It's a testament to her skill in a medium often overlooked by painters.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This engraving presents a serene Madonna, her youthful face framed by a halo, as she gazes downward. She stands on a delicate crescent moon, a traditional symbol often associated with the Virgin Mary and purity. Two small angels, their forms softly rendered, hover above her, gently placing a crown upon her head. The fine lines of the engraving create a sense of delicate drapery and the ethereal quality of the figures, emphasizing the spiritual nature of the scene. The artist, Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein, a German-Swiss painter known for her portraits, created this work early in her career, demonstrating a mastery of the engraving medium. The composition, with its central figure and flanking angels, draws the viewer's eye to the Madonna's tranquil expression, inviting contemplation.

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What to Notice

1

The delicate lines that define the Madonna's flowing robes.

2

The crescent moon she stands upon, a symbol of purity.

3

The two small angels carefully crowning her head.

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Audio Deep Dive

Pause to appreciate this early engraving by Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein, a delicate depiction of the Madonna on a crescent moon, crowned by two angels. It's…

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THE ARTIST
Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein 1859–1937 · Switzerland

Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein, a German-Swiss painter, defied social norms to become a celebrated portraitist, exhibiting at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

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