Madonna on a Crescent Moon in Hortus Conclusus

"Madonna on a Crescent Moon in Hortus Conclusus"

Unknown Master

This exquisite painting was done by an unknown master in Cologne, Germany, sometime around 1450. The phrase Hortus Conclusus is Latin, meaning literally "enclosed garden." At their root, both words in hortus conclusus signify linguistically to enclosure. The term was used to refer to the Virgin Mary in Medieval and Renaissance poetry and art, both as a title and a description of her. It was used widely in paintings and illuminated manuscripts starting about 1330.

This painting is unusual as it features Mary as both the woman of the Apocalypse (on the crescent moon) and simultaneously the Madonna with Child. The original is at the Staatliche Museen in Berlin. We find it dear and delicate, and we love how Mary and Jesus are tender yet majestic. We like how the lilies turn into stars.

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a white border of about 0.5" inch for 5x7", 1.3" for 8.5x11", or 1.6" for 11x14" pictures. All Approx! Fine art printers do this because the images are almost never the same rectangular ratio of the standard paper sizes. It also gives the prints a finished look, and lets them look good in a frame without a matt.

– Acid-free paper
– Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
– Cardboard backer
– Above story of the art
– Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

You might also enjoy original Catholic Art and Jewelry by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, here on Etsy at www.Etsy.com/shop/TreeOfHeaven
Also, check out our Catholic Quote shop, where we are pairing authentic quotes from Saints with Art: www.Etsy.com/shop/CatholicQuote

“In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.” ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson – CatholicArtAndJewelry.