Maria med børnene Jesus og Johannes samt en helgeninde 1623 - 1678

Jürgen Ovens created this ink drawing, Maria med børnene Jesus og Johannes samt en helgeninde, sometime in the 17th century. As a portraitist in the Baroque era, Ovens often depicted people of the court. He also took commissions for historical and religious paintings, a popular genre at the time. Here, Ovens references widely used archetypes of women and children from Christian narratives. The Virgin Mary is immediately recognizable, represented as a nurturing figure with children. However, this image diverges from traditional representations by incorporating themes of motherhood and female camaraderie through the inclusion of another woman. The composition and poses of the figures suggest a narrative of shared experiences, such as caring for children. Ultimately, this drawing explores the emotional and social complexities of motherhood, while depicting these women as both holy and human.