Madonna of the Tower c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have W. H. Watt’s “Madonna of the Tower,” a tender image of the Virgin and Child. The delicate shading and composition give it a particularly gentle feel. Editor: It does have an almost ethereal quality. I’m struck by the subtle use of light and shadow. What can you tell me about how it was made? Curator: This print situates itself within a long history of maternal iconography and the idealization of women’s reproductive labor. The Madonna as a symbol of both purity and power is central to its interpretation. Editor: Right, but I'm also thinking about the production of printed images themselves. How it made such iconic images more available, thus shaping—and perhaps even standardizing—those cultural values. Curator: Indeed, it provides a compelling view into the interplay between artistic representation and social construction of motherhood. Editor: Absolutely. Examining it this way has certainly enriched my understanding of its cultural reach.