Vrouw geeft kind de borst, man staat achter haar 1642 - 1664

Cornelis Bega made this etching of a mother breastfeeding her child with her husband standing behind her, sometime in the mid-17th century. This domestic scene offers us a glimpse into the intimate, everyday life of a Dutch family. It's interesting to think about Bega's choice to depict such a commonplace moment; these scenes were often romanticized or idealized in art. Bega seems to be resisting that. We see a mother in her most nurturing role, a father looking on. The setting is humble, the lines are simple, yet the emotional depth is palpable. During the 17th century in the Netherlands, family and community were central to social structure, and the depiction of motherhood was often tied to notions of morality and domesticity. By etching it Bega invites us to consider the value and dignity of these ordinary, often overlooked aspects of human experience.