Zittende Madonna 1633 - 1692

Curator: This engraving, housed here at the Rijksmuseum, is titled "Zittende Madonna," or "Seated Madonna," and was created by Cornelis Bloemaert sometime between 1633 and 1692. Editor: It's remarkable. There’s an intimacy, despite the religious subject matter, in the almost photographic detail of the line work. It strikes me as very human, almost vulnerable, rendered in a very precise medium. Curator: Indeed. Bloemaert was working within the Baroque style, though filtered through the lens of printmaking. Note how he utilizes line to not only define form but to create gradations of tone. He is mimicking painting with a very process-oriented approach to his tools, forcing his way into paint’s unique attributes of texture. Editor: And considering that this is an engraving, the skill and the labor are impressive. How long would it have taken him to execute something like this? Each line deliberately placed, bearing down to incise the metal. It's easy to overlook the sheer amount of time and craft involved in creating prints like this. It really invites thinking about art beyond individual genius and more in line with shared skills across different groups. Curator: Precisely! It shows the widespread dissemination of imagery and ideas at the time. Also, observe the Madonna, seated and holding the Christ Child. The inscription beneath the image, "Dilectus meus mihi inter ubera mea commorabitur," translates to "My beloved shall lie between my breasts." This quote from the Song of Songs links maternal love with a more sensual, almost erotic connotation. It adds another layer of complexity, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. And the detail in those tiny hands is something, the curve of those baby fingers around her own. In looking closer, one sees that level of mastery over the line medium. A close looking brings us close to the materiality and physical processes that generated this beautiful, enduring artwork. Curator: I agree, the enduring symbols coupled with technical skill have continued to echo through generations. Editor: I appreciate thinking about what it took to generate an engraving like this within the early modern moment.