Maria met kind in rozenkrans 1611

This engraving, "Maria met kind in rozenkrans," was created by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert. Bolswert offers us a vision of motherhood framed by the devotional symbol of the rosary. But what does it mean to see Mary, a figure revered for her purity and obedience, within the context of the 17th century? During this time, the role of women was largely confined to the domestic sphere, with expectations of piety and submission shaping their identities. Mary embodies the idealized woman—nurturing, religious, and demure. The image of Mary and child has always been a powerful expression of the feminine divine, but I ask: How does it either challenge or reinforce the existing patriarchal structures? Bolswert's composition invites viewers to contemplate Mary's profound love and vulnerability, and perhaps consider how the divine intersects with our own earthly experiences of love and loss.