Maria met Kind 1642

Pierre Daret created this print of Mary and Jesus, or ‘Maria met Kind,’ using etching in the 17th century. This image represents a particular vision of ideal motherhood, circulating at a time in France when the Catholic Church was undergoing a period of renewal and reaffirmation of traditional values. We can see the serene tenderness on Mary’s face as she looks down at her child. Christ, in turn, snuggles into her, gazing upwards. Daret’s image of intimacy and familial affection suggests that these values were considered socially important at the time. But it is important to note that these depictions of motherhood took place in a culture and art world that was dominated by men. To fully understand Daret's print, we need to delve into the printmaking industry and the religious institutions that shaped its production and reception. By studying these contexts, we can gain a richer understanding of the social role that images of motherhood played in 17th-century France.