Maria geeft Christus de borst 1798 - 1837

Editor: This is "Maria geeft Christus de borst," or "Mary breastfeeding Christ," by Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar, created sometime between 1798 and 1837. It's a pen and ink drawing on paper in the Neoclassical style, and I’m immediately drawn to the intimacy it portrays. How do you interpret this work through a modern lens? Curator: The choice to depict Mary breastfeeding is not merely a sentimental one; it's a potent symbol of maternal power and nourishment, defying the historically patriarchal structures that often control depictions of women and the divine. Editor: Can you elaborate on that a little bit more? Curator: Think about the era in which it was created. Neoclassicism often romanticized the past, but here, breastfeeding becomes a visual declaration of a woman's essential role, a radical move for the time. Mary isn’t just a passive vessel; she actively sustains the future savior. It speaks volumes about the potential to reclaim female agency. Editor: I see what you mean. By depicting this very physical act of motherhood, Bagelaar empowers Mary beyond the purely spiritual. Does the Neoclassical style have a bearing on that interpretation? Curator: Absolutely. The clarity and simplicity characteristic of Neoclassicism bring forth an almost tangible sense of humanity. Stripped of baroque ornamentation, what remains is the unvarnished reality of a mother’s nurturing act. Where might that direct your thoughts? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. I was initially drawn to the gentle mood, but your interpretation gives the artwork a stronger voice. Curator: Art is inherently political, wouldn't you agree? By acknowledging the socio-historical context, we bring into focus those power dynamics at play. We unveil their profoundness. Editor: Definitely. This piece speaks to me now on so many levels. Thanks for that expanded understanding.