Three wet nurses and two infants 1662

"Three Wet Nurses and Two Infants" is a 1662 drawing by Esaias Boursse. The drawing depicts three women, likely wet nurses, each holding an infant in their arms. The drawing, which measures 148 mm x 196 mm, provides a glimpse into the practice of wet nursing during the 17th century, a common practice where women would breastfeed the children of others. It captures the tenderness and intimacy of the relationship between the nurses and the infants. Boursse, a Dutch artist known for his portraiture and genre scenes, skillfully uses charcoal to create detailed figures in this intimate study.