Maria zoogt het Christuskind in een landschap 1595

Francesco Brizio created this etching, “Maria zoogt het Christuskind in een landschap,” depicting the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the Christ child, sometime between 1584 and 1623. During the late 16th and early 17th centuries in Italy, images of the Madonna and Child were incredibly popular, reflecting the Catholic Church’s emphasis on the role of Mary. Brizio situates his figures in a serene landscape, drawing from a tradition that idealizes motherhood, portraying Mary as both divine and intimately human. The act of breastfeeding emphasizes her role as nurturer. Yet, it also underscores the expectations placed on women of the time, to be pious, maternal, and submissive. The delicate lines of the etching create a tender scene, but also prompt us to reflect on the historical context in which women’s bodies and roles were often defined by religious and social doctrines. We are left to consider how artistic representations both reflect and shape our understanding of gender, motherhood, and the sacred.