Maria met Christuskind in ovaal 1637 - 1702

This is Pieter van Schuppen’s engraving of Maria and the Christ Child, printed without a date. Van Schuppen lived and worked in the 17th century, a time when religious imagery was both a source of comfort and a tool for shaping cultural beliefs. Here, Mary is framed by angels and ornate details, emphasizing her purity and divine role. Yet, look closely and you see the humanity of the mother and child. Mary's tender gaze and the intimate embrace connect us to the everyday reality of motherhood, even as the surrounding iconography elevates her. The Latin inscriptions, declaring her virginity and divine nourishment, reinforce the theological narratives that defined women’s roles. In his depiction, Van Schuppen walks a line between religious ideal and human experience, creating an image that invites both reverence and a sense of personal connection. It reflects the complex interplay of faith, gender, and societal expectations of the time.