Vrouw met kind in de armen 1752 - 1789

Caspar Jacobsz. Philips created this image of a woman and child in the 18th century using etching. The image resonates with depictions of the Madonna and Child that were circulating at the time, though the exact social context of the artwork is unknown. Was Philips commissioned by the church to create this image? Was he self-consciously conservative in his imagery, referencing religious iconography in the wake of the Enlightenment? Or was it a more progressive take on traditional imagery? To answer these questions, one might research Philips’s patrons or the religious affiliations of the institutions for which he worked. One might also analyze the composition of the image, comparing it with earlier depictions of the Madonna and Child. Art historical interpretation is contingent on this kind of research to illuminate the social and institutional context in which art is created.