The Virgin seated on a stone ledge with the infant Christ lying on a cushion next to her, after Reni 1660 - 1691

Jean Sauvé made this print, The Virgin Seated with Christ, after Guido Reni. Images of the Madonna and child served several purposes in the 17th century, not just devotional but also political and social. Look at the composition. The image invites contemplation of Mary’s serene tenderness, but also subtly reinforces ideas about motherhood. Consider the historical context of the work. It was made in France, a deeply Catholic country at the time, where the church held immense social influence. Images like this reinforced traditional family values, reflecting the church's teachings on women's roles as mothers and nurturers. The institutions of art, such as the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, promoted such images. Art history helps us to understand how cultural values are embedded in images. By exploring archival documents, we can better understand the public role of art and the politics of imagery in the 17th century.