Maria met kind 1621

This engraving of the Virgin and Child was produced in Rome in 1621 by Giovanni Battista Pasqualini. Here, we see the Madonna nursing the infant Christ, a depiction that transcends mere maternal tenderness to touch upon the wellspring of human experience. Consider the iconography of maternal nourishment present in countless cultures. From ancient Egyptian depictions of Isis nursing Horus, to the Roman goddess Juno, breast-feeding embodies not only life-giving sustenance but also divine power. This motif resurfaces throughout the medieval period and beyond, often linked to themes of charity, nurturing, and the Church itself as a provider of spiritual nourishment. Pasqualini’s engraving, however, offers a more nuanced perspective. The way the Virgin gazes downward evokes a sense of introspective melancholy. This gesture, laden with the knowledge of her son's destiny, adds a layer of pathos. It is through such expressions that we witness how these archetypal symbols can evolve, bearing witness to the shifting currents of human emotion and collective memory.