Maria het Christuskind voedend after 1592

This is an engraving of Maria feeding baby Jesus, made by an anonymous artist. Throughout art history, the image of the Madonna and Child has been used to explore themes of motherhood and divinity, often reinforcing societal expectations of women. But what happens when we consider this image through the lens of lived experiences? Here, the act of breastfeeding becomes not just a symbol, but a very human moment of connection. How might the artist, perhaps working within the confines of religious or societal expectations, be hinting at the intimate, personal aspects of Mary's life? Consider the tenderness in Mary's downcast gaze and the vulnerability of the infant. It prompts us to reflect on the roles of women, mothers, and the divine, and to question the power dynamics inherent in these representations. It asks us to consider how an image can at once reinforce and subvert traditional narratives.