Maria met kind c. 1815 - 1878

J. Haagen's monochrome print, "Maria met kind," presents a study in contrasts, predominantly through the medium's inherent play of light and shadow. The composition centers on the maternal figure, whose face is rendered with soft, flowing lines, in contrast with the more pronounced and energetic curls of the child. A nuanced tonal range from the light to dark implies depth and volume, especially around the drapery. The textural variations achieved through etching invite a semiotic reading, where the gentle shading signifies tenderness and serenity. The artist has employed a structural strategy that draws the viewer's eye towards the faces, setting up a symbolic dialogue between the Virgin Mary and the child. The tension between the starkness of the medium and the delicacy of the subject underscores the artistic challenge of representing the ethereal through tangible means. The very act of creating an image is fraught with questions about the nature of representation and the possibility of capturing something beyond the physical.