Nacht / Le Soir 1702 - 1726

Pieter van den Berge created this print, called Nacht, with etching around the late 17th century. The central figure of a mother breastfeeding her child immediately strikes a chord, echoing centuries of Madonna and Child iconography. Consider how this nurturing image contrasts with earlier depictions of motherhood. In medieval art, the Virgin Mary often appears regal, embodying divine authority. Here, however, the mother is more intimate, more human. This shift reflects evolving societal values, an increased emphasis on personal emotion and domesticity. The image of the nursing mother has resurfaced throughout history, each time molded by its cultural environment. From ancient fertility goddesses to contemporary social realism, this symbol undergoes continuous reinterpretation, yet its core message of maternal care persists. The subconscious power of this act, the very essence of life-giving, engages viewers on a profound, emotional level. It remains a potent force, a cyclical return to primal experience.