Madonna on a crescent moon
South Germany, ca. 1490
lime wood carved, orig. polychromy
h: 105 cm
Prov.: Collection Fischer-Böhler, Munich; Private collection, Bavaria
The depiction of the Madonna on the crescent moon has been a widespread motif in plastic art since the 15th century.
At the feet of the Madonna is a crescent moon that is open at the top. Theologically, the motif is associated with the passage from the Apocalypse of John (Acts 12: 1-18): “... a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars.”
At the feet of the Madonna is a crescent moon that is open at the top. Theologically, the motif is associated with the passage from the Apocalypse of John (Acts 12: 1-18): “... a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars.”