Kind met engel bij wieg en looprek 1590 - 1624

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this engraving of a child with an angel in what is now the Netherlands, likely in the early 17th century. The setting is a domestic interior featuring a baby in a bassinet and a toddler's walking frame, everyday objects that nevertheless become charged with symbolic meaning. This image reflects the profound influence of religious belief on daily life in the Dutch Golden Age. The presence of the angel suggests divine protection and guidance, a common theme in art intended for private devotion. The Latin inscription, taken from the Song of Solomon, speaks to the intimate and idealized relationship between siblings. Images like this offer valuable insights into the values and beliefs of the time. By consulting historical texts and religious commentaries, we can deepen our understanding of how faith shaped the domestic sphere and the lives of families in the 17th century Netherlands.