Maria met kind 1513 - 1517

Lucas van Leyden made this engraving, Maria met kind, in the Netherlands sometime in the early 16th century. During this period, artists like van Leyden were navigating a complex social and religious landscape marked by the rise of the Protestant Reformation. Images of the Virgin and Child were central to Catholic devotion, embodying ideals of motherhood, purity, and divine love. But they also became sites of contestation as reformers questioned the role of religious imagery. Here, Mary's serene expression and tender gaze towards her son evoke a sense of intimate connection, while the halos symbolize their sacred status. Consider how such images functioned not just as representations of religious figures, but also as affirmations of faith, and cultural identity, in a rapidly changing world. The emotional resonance of this work lies in its ability to bridge the earthly and the divine, offering viewers a glimpse into the maternal bond. It reflects a society grappling with questions of faith, identity, and the role of women.