Madonna met kind c. 1679 - 1750

This is an anonymous print of the Madonna and Child, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The absence of a known artist invites us to consider the cultural and social contexts in which such images circulated. During the time it was made, images of the Madonna and Child were widespread, reflecting the central role of the Virgin Mary in religious life and as an ideal of motherhood. This print taps into the idea of the feminine divine, showing the Madonna as nurturing and serene, with a focus on motherhood. Yet, the anonymity of the artist raises questions about the diverse hands and perspectives involved in shaping religious imagery. How did individual beliefs and experiences inform the creation and reception of this image? Consider how the artistic and religious conventions of the time both influenced and limited the ways in which motherhood and the feminine divine could be represented. This print invites us to reflect on the multifaceted roles of women, as well as on the hidden stories behind the creation and dissemination of devotional images.