Coronation of the Virgin

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Coronation of the Virgin a captivating 18th-century print Andrea Scacciati after Giovanni Battista Moroni, between 1750 and 1770. This etching and aquatint depicts the exalted Christian iconography of the Virgin Mary being crowned Queen of Heaven, theme revered in Renaissance and Baroque art for its celebration of divine grace and Mary's intercessory role. Moroni, a masterful Italian portraitist from the 16th century known for his realistic style, likely inspired the composition, bridging Renaissance piety with the refined elegance of Rococo-era printmaking. The medium shines here: etching provides crisp, intricate lines for figures and architecture, while aquatint—a pioneering technique—adds velvety tones and subtle gradations, mimicking the luminosity of oil paintings. Measuring 13 3/4 × 18 3/16 inches, this trimmed sheet exemplifies how prints democratized high art, allowing wider audiences to own devotional images during the Enlightenment's cultural flourishing. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1953, it graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department. A testament to enduring faith and technical innovation, this work invites you to ponder heaven's splendor in delicate ink.