Maria met Kind en een engel 1642

This engraving, *Maria met Kind en een engel*, was made by Pierre Daret, who was active in France during the 17th century. Daret lived in an era profoundly shaped by the Catholic Church, but also by emerging artistic freedoms. Here, we see the Virgin Mary, Christ, and an angel rendered with a sensuousness that was becoming more acceptable. What I find so interesting about this piece is its demonstration of the humanity of Mary. We see the fleshy baby Christ reaching for her body, and Mary’s tender gaze meets his. The angel seems to offer a gift of flowers. This image really emphasizes intimacy, but the inscription below, in Latin, reminds us of the intended message: that the Christ child brings gifts of faith. Daret uses the female form and maternal bond to convey a complex message about both earthly and divine love.