Madonna met kind 1618 - 1655

This is "Madonna met kind," made by Cornelis Schut sometime in the 17th century. Schut, an artist working in Antwerp during the Baroque period, presents a tender vision of motherhood, reflective of the era's religious fervor and artistic focus on emotion. The etching depicts Mary holding the infant Jesus. The use of light emanating from the figures suggests divine grace. What's striking here is how Schut renders Mary. She isn't just a symbol; she's a woman, her expression conveying a mix of serenity and perhaps, a hint of the sorrows to come. This depiction moves away from the purely symbolic representations of the Madonna, offering a more intimate, human portrayal of the mother-child relationship. It invites us to reflect on the maternal experience, and the complex blend of love, duty, and sacrifice.