Vrouw met kind 1865 - 1936

This etching by Nicolaas van der Waay depicts a woman cradling a young child. The tender embrace immediately evokes the Madonna and Child motif, a symbol deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The roots of this archetypal image stretch back through centuries. We find echoes in ancient Egyptian depictions of Isis and Horus, reflecting the universal human desire to sanctify motherhood. Consider, for example, how the serene, protective stance of the mother resonates across cultures, from Byzantine icons to Renaissance paintings. Yet, while the pose speaks of timeless maternal devotion, the somber tones and close framing imbue the scene with a palpable intensity, engaging viewers on a primal level. The intimate connection between mother and child transcends mere representation, tapping into a deep well of shared human experience. This motif, in its cyclical progression, has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.