La Vierge adorent l'Enfant Jesus 1605 - 1650

Jean Morin created "La Vierge adorent l'Enfant Jesus," a black and white print now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in the mid-17th century, a time of religious reform and burgeoning artistic innovation. During this period, the representation of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ was deployed to reinforce religious doctrine and social norms. But here, there's a palpable tenderness that softens the traditional iconography. Mary isn't just a symbol, but a figure of maternal love and devotion. Consider how the intimate portrayal of motherhood might have resonated, especially in light of gender roles and expectations of the time. The emotional bond between mother and child is foregrounded, offering an alternative narrative centered on the domestic and personal, as opposed to the grand and theological. The print invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between faith, identity, and the human condition. It's a poignant reminder of art's capacity to render the divine in profoundly human terms.