Moeder en kind c. 1662

This is Moses ter Borch's drawing 'Moeder en kind,' or 'Mother and Child', a work currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Born in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age, ter Borch’s brief life coincided with a period of immense artistic and social change. Here, we see a mother reaching out to her child who eagerly reaches back, their connection rendered with simple ink strokes. The mother figure, draped in modest clothing, stands as a representation of the ideals of motherhood in the 17th century. During this period, motherhood was idealized as a woman's primary role in society. Through this lens, ter Borch's drawing could be seen as a quiet celebration of maternal love. Yet, the starkness of the medium and the somewhat severe depiction of the mother invite a more complex reading. The woman’s gesture could suggest not just affection, but perhaps also protection or warning. The vulnerability of childhood and the responsibilities of motherhood intertwine, reflecting the era’s complex views on family and gender roles.