Moeder met baby in een tuin 1830 - 1867

This print, created by Joseph Bal, depicts a mother and child in a garden. The image immediately evokes the Madonna and Child, a symbol of maternal love and purity pervasive in Western art since the early Christian era. The motif extends back into antiquity. Think of Isis nursing Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol of divine motherhood and kingship. This pairing was not merely a depiction of familial love, but a powerful statement of authority and nurturing. In Bal’s image, we see echoes of this ancient archetype. The tender embrace carries a psychological weight, triggering deep-seated emotions related to protection and care. These symbols never truly vanish; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, constantly engaging us on a subconscious level. They remind us that the past is always present, shaping our understanding and emotional responses to the visual world.