Meisje met kind op de arm bij een lam 1851 - 1855

Matthijs Maris created this small etching, "Girl with Child in Arms by a Lamb," during a time of significant social and economic change in Europe. Here, we see a mother and child standing next to a lamb, their figures emerging ethereally from the landscape. Maris, who came from a working-class background, often depicted women and children in his art. His focus wasn't on the individual, but rather on a collective experience of those on the margins of society. This interest resonates with the rise of socialist and humanitarian movements during the 19th century, which sought to address issues of poverty and inequality. Maris renders the scene with a delicate touch, yet the overall effect is one of melancholy. The dark, muted tones and indistinct forms evoke a sense of transience, of lives lived in shadow. The lamb, a symbol of innocence and vulnerability, further underscores the emotional weight of the image. This etching serves not only as a reflection of its time, but also as an intimate portrayal of the human condition.