Maria met slapende Jezust en Johannes de Doper 1665 - 1666

Pieter van Schuppen created this engraving, depicting Mary with the sleeping Jesus and John the Baptist. The Madonna, with her gaze directed heavenward, holds the slumbering Christ child, his vulnerability emphasized by his peaceful sleep. Observe the recurring motif of the sleeping child, a symbol that stretches back through time, appearing in various forms across cultures. This motif invokes powerful emotions: tenderness, protection, and a deep sense of maternal love. It touches something primal within us, reminiscent of ancient mother-goddess figures cradling their young. The image is charged with an undercurrent of foreboding: Christ's sleep is a premonition of his ultimate rest in death. Similarly, consider John the Baptist. His presence introduces the themes of prophecy, sacrifice, and the heralding of momentous events. It is a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of human experiences.