Moeder en kind op bed 1826 - 1886

Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter created this print, 'Mother and Child in Bed', with an etching technique. It presents a domestic scene, encapsulating the values and expectations placed upon women in 19th-century Netherlands. The woman's gaze and gesture towards the crucifix on the wall suggest a devotion to religious instruction as part of the child’s upbringing. The setting, an intimate bedroom, reinforces the idea of the home as the woman's primary sphere of influence. The crucifix underscores the importance of Christian values and the mother's role in instilling them. This image reflects a broader social narrative, where women, especially mothers, were seen as the moral guardians of the family. To fully understand the context, one might delve into Dutch social histories or religious publications. This artwork underscores how art preserves and propagates societal values, providing us with a visual record of a bygone era.