Madonna met kind c. 1470 - 1491

Editor: So, this print, "Madonna and Child," from around the late 15th century, made by an anonymous artist. It’s an engraving, which gives it this wonderfully delicate, almost ethereal quality. I'm struck by its intimacy; there’s something very human about the way Mary is holding Jesus. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: The recurring theme of the Madonna and Child holds incredible symbolic weight. Consider the visual language: Mary, often depicted in blue, representing the Church, the earthly and the heavenly intertwined. And the Christ Child—held, protected. What emotional register does the artist seem to be exploring, do you think? Editor: I see both tenderness and a sense of foreboding. Like she knows what's coming. The texture almost emphasizes it. Curator: Precisely. That tension is woven into the imagery. This wasn’t merely a portrait; it was an evocation of a sacred story deeply embedded in the cultural memory of the time. Notice the positioning, how that creates this iconographic effect, where Mary as an allegorical character is dominant. Do you feel it challenges or reinforces those religious values and beliefs from the 15th Century? Editor: I think both. It reminds us of tradition while simultaneously inviting us to engage with a more immediate, relatable, human relationship. It almost seems to be about connecting to this archetype, which carries on. Curator: It's remarkable how these symbols resonate even now, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely, I’ve certainly come away appreciating its continued resonance.