Zittende moeder met kind 1777 - 1779

Pieter de Mare created this print titled 'Zittende moeder met kind' using etching techniques sometime in the late 18th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the compact, interlocking forms of the mother and child centered in the composition. See how the artist uses tightly packed parallel lines to describe the heavy fabric of their clothes, contrasting with the more open, airy strokes that define the surrounding space. The composition, constrained within a narrow vertical format, focuses our attention on the emotional and physical connection between the two figures. De Mare’s choice of etching allows for a detailed rendering of textures and a nuanced play of light and shadow. The formal structure here—the rhythmic repetition of lines, the balance of dark and light areas—emphasizes the universal theme of maternal care. Observe how this etching, through its formal qualities, invites us to contemplate the social and emotional dimensions of family life, and consider how this artwork may continue to inspire new interpretations.