Vrouw zittend op een stoel met naast haar een jong meisje 1670 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this print depicting a woman seated with a young girl sometime between 1660 and 1711. The delicate gesture of the mother's hand upon her daughter's chin speaks volumes. It echoes the 'ethos of touch' seen in countless Madonna and Child depictions across centuries. The gentle contact transcends mere physical support, suggesting an intimate bond, a passing down of knowledge and affection. Think of classical sculptures where similar gestures convey familial love and protection. But, the bouquets of flowers, emblems of fleeting beauty, introduce a melancholic note. The mother’s touch, while tender, also carries the weight of societal expectations and the awareness of time’s passage. The image evokes a powerful sense of shared humanity, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring power of maternal connection, a theme that continues to resonate deeply within our collective psyche.