Maria met Kind 1620 - 1660

Sébastien Vouillemont created this roughly 300mm by 230mm engraving, titled "Maria met Kind," sometime between 1610 and 1660. This image offers a glimpse into the 17th-century vision of idealized motherhood and beauty. We see Mary gazing tenderly at the infant Christ, who is reclining on a sumptuous pillow. Vouillemont plays with the composition to invite contemplation on the bond between mother and child, while situating the figures within a context of idealized virtue. While Vouillemont was a man, his depiction of Mary reflects the period's patriarchal values around motherhood. His Mary is an emblem of purity and gentleness, reinforcing societal expectations of women as caregivers. Yet, there's also a human element, which lies in the quiet tenderness with which Mary interacts with her child. Vouillemont seems to encourage a sense of emotional connection with the viewer, inviting us to reflect on universal themes of love and nurture.