Maria met Kind en musicerende engelen 1851 - 1899

Karl Rauscher created this print, Maria met Kind en musicerende engelen, sometime in the 19th century. During this period, Europe saw a rise in industrialization, urbanization, and significant social changes. Religion, and the figure of Mary in particular, was a site for both reaffirming traditional values and negotiating new social roles for women. Here, we see Mary depicted with the infant Jesus, surrounded by angels who are making music. The image evokes the idea of maternal tenderness, presenting a serene and idealized view of motherhood. It invites viewers to reflect on the intimacy between mother and child, while also reinforcing the image of Mary as a nurturing figure. But it is important to remember that this type of representation often overlooks the diverse realities of motherhood, particularly the socio-economic challenges faced by women in different classes and cultural contexts. It's a vision of motherhood that is serene and lovely, yet also shaped by very particular cultural ideals.