Maria met kind staand op haar schoot en Johannes de Doper 1632 - 1693

Francois de Poilly created this engraving, "Maria met kind staand op haar schoot en Johannes de Doper", in the 17th century. The print depicts Mary holding the infant Jesus, with a young John the Baptist looking up at them. Prints like this one circulated widely in Europe and were instrumental in shaping religious and cultural identities. The figures of Mary and Jesus have been interpreted and re-interpreted across centuries and cultures, often reflecting societal values and power structures. This image reinforces the traditional representation of Mary as a nurturing mother, but also alludes to her elevated status. The serene portrayal of motherhood is striking, yet it also invites us to consider the complex historical context in which women's roles were often confined to the domestic sphere. How does this image affirm or challenge those norms? How might it resonate differently with viewers across various social and cultural backgrounds?