Maria en het slapende Christuskind 1595 - 1600

This engraving, “Maria en het slapende Christuskind” (“Mary and the sleeping Christ Child”), was created by Johann Sadeler I in the late 16th century. During this time, there was growing emphasis on personal piety in Europe, which influenced religious art. Sadeler’s work encapsulates the period's complex attitudes toward motherhood and divinity. Mary is presented as both the Virgin Mother and a maternal figure, reflecting the theological and social expectations placed on women. In this image, Mary cradles the sleeping child Jesus, watched over by an angel. The Latin text framing the image emphasizes vigilance and care, pointing to Mary's protective role. Despite the divine context, the depiction offers a tender, intimate scene, highlighting the human aspect of the Holy Family. This engraving provides a glimpse into the period’s spiritual beliefs, as well as its ideas about gender roles. Mary embodies a nurturing, watchful presence, mirroring the era’s complex dialogue between the sacred and the domestic.