Figuur met kind 1880 - 1882

Here, in this sketch by George Hendrik Breitner, we witness a tender, intimate moment between mother and child, rendered with raw simplicity. The embrace, a universal symbol of nurture, transcends mere representation to touch upon deep emotional chords. The motif of maternal embrace echoes through history, from the Madonnas of the Renaissance to ancient fertility figures. Yet, each iteration carries its own cultural imprint. In classical antiquity, such images celebrated the life-giving force of nature. In the Christian context, they became imbued with divine grace. Here, Breitner strips away the layers of symbolic meaning, returning to the primal core of the relationship. The sketch's immediacy captures the intensity of human connection, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring power of love. The act of mothering, laden with subconscious memories and primal drives, resurfaces through time and space.