Ziek kind ligt in bed en wordt verzorgd door engel 1590 - 1624

Editor: Here we have an engraving titled "Sick Child Lying in Bed Cared For By Angel" by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert, created sometime between 1590 and 1624. The scene has a very somber feeling, softened by the presence of the angel. What symbols stand out to you in this print? Curator: The most powerful symbol here is perhaps the angel itself. The visual language places it as an intermediary between the divine and the mortal realm. Its wings immediately signal a connection to the heavens. Look closely—where is its hand placed, and what might that signify about the era's understanding of illness? Editor: It's resting on the child’s forehead… Maybe it signifies comfort, or maybe even a sort of spiritual diagnosis? Curator: Precisely. Think about the historical context. During this period, illness was often seen as both a physical and a spiritual affliction, a punishment or a test from God. The angel’s touch, therefore, represents divine intervention and the hope for healing, but it might also be seen as absolution or perhaps even as preparing the child for passage. Do you notice the inscription at the bottom of the piece? Editor: Yes, it's in Latin, and it seems to be a plea for mercy and healing. Curator: Indeed. Its inclusion makes it quite clear that there is both human suffering but also divine hope depicted here. The canopy of the bed feels important somehow. It seems quite heavy, creating an oppressive feeling in the scene, almost trapping her within illness itself. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't considered! It's fascinating how symbols work on different levels depending on their historical and cultural context. Curator: Exactly. Understanding those levels helps us appreciate the depth of meaning embedded within the image and, more generally, across eras of human creativity. Editor: I will certainly look closer next time, thank you.