Zittende moeder die een baby optilt 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created this sketch of a seated mother lifting a baby. The Madonna and Child motif has been a powerful image throughout art history, representing not only maternal love but also the hope for the future. This universal theme transcends time, reminding us of similar depictions in Byzantine icons or Renaissance paintings. Yet, here, the tender gesture is portrayed with a raw simplicity that speaks directly to our emotions, capturing the very essence of human connection. Israëls’ sketch makes us reflect on the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Each time the image of a mother and child reappears, it carries echoes of the past while simultaneously offering a renewed sense of hope and continuity. This is the enduring power of symbols: to connect us to the depths of human experience.