Maria met kind before 1850

Antoine Fulcrand Carrière made this lithograph called 'Maria met kind'. Looking at this tender image of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus, it's easy to see how Carrière’s religious works resonated in 19th-century France, a period marked by both spiritual revival and social upheaval. The French Revolution had challenged traditional hierarchies, leading to new interpretations of faith and community. While Mary is often depicted as queen, here, we see a tender mother. Carrière likely intended to depict the universality of maternal love and the comfort of faith amid uncertainty. Religious imagery granted artists the ability to explore social and political realities while offering solace to those grappling with an ever-changing world. Through the softness of the lithographic medium, we can see how Carrière offered a vision of compassion and stability, reflecting a society in search of both.