Jonge vrouw met kind op de arm 1881

Ulysse Butin etched this image of a young woman holding a child in her arms. The pose evokes a timeless representation of motherhood, immediately recognizable across cultures and epochs. The Madonna and Child is one of the oldest and most pervasive symbols in art, echoing through Byzantine icons to Renaissance paintings. But here, the figures are set against the harsh reality of a seaside landscape. This is no idealized representation; it's a raw, intimate moment. We are confronted with the universal experience of maternal love and protection, stripped bare of its divine context. There's a psychological weight to this image—a primal connection that resonates deep within our collective memory. The way she holds the child, shielding it from the elements, speaks to our deepest instincts: to nurture, to safeguard, to ensure the survival of the next generation. This cycle of life, of protection and love, reappears constantly, proving that whilst artistic styles evolve, some fundamental human experiences remain eternally relevant.