Moeder zoogt haar baby 1841 - 1857

Paulus Anthonius Liernur created this print of a mother breastfeeding her child in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-19th century. The image offers us an intimate, yet idealized view, into the private life of a working-class mother. We can consider this piece within the context of the period's broader social and economic changes. The 19th century was a time of increased industrialization and urbanization, which led to shifts in family structures and gender roles. Motherhood was often celebrated as a sacred duty, but working-class women faced significant challenges balancing childcare with the demands of labor. Prints like this one, mass-produced and circulated, would have contributed to the cultural conversation around motherhood and women's roles. Further research into Dutch social history and the art market of the time can shed light on the complex meanings embedded in this simple image. It’s a reminder that our understanding of art is always shaped by the specific social and institutional conditions in which it was made and received.