Engel en kind bij een zieke vrouw 1818 - 1871

Isaac Cornelis Elink Sterk created this print, "Engel en kind bij een zieke vrouw," using an unspecified method. It captures a scene of domestic intimacy tinged with the presence of the supernatural. Prints like this one circulated widely in 19th-century Netherlands. The Dutch Golden Age had seen the rise of a prosperous merchant class, and with it, a culture of domesticity and piety. This image plays into those values, offering a sentimental vision of family, care, and religious faith. The angel's presence suggests a divine intervention or comfort in times of illness. It speaks to the cultural importance of religion and the solace it offered in the face of life's hardships. Art historians delve into the social context of such works, examining how they reflect and shape cultural values. By consulting sources like period literature, religious tracts, and domestic advice manuals, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artwork. This print provides insight into the sentimental and religious sensibilities of 19th-century Dutch society.