Vrouw geeft borstvoeding 1765 - 1771

Editor: So, this engraving from 1765-1771 is titled "Vrouw geeft borstvoeding," or "Woman Breastfeeding." It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The image, in monochrome, evokes a quiet intimacy. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Immediately, I notice the powerful symbolism embedded in this seemingly simple scene. The act of breastfeeding has been, across cultures and throughout time, a potent symbol of nurture, sacrifice, and primal connection. In an era defined by evolving notions of motherhood and domesticity, how do you perceive the role of 'nurse' being portrayed through visual cues? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the specific role of "nurse" depicted here. I guess I assumed it was the mother of the child, but perhaps not. What symbols or imagery would lead you to that interpretation? Curator: Look at the way she is framed. The open window next to the woman allows for light, signifying hope and virtue, to fall on the woman and the child, almost in Madonna-like fashion. Also, note the table next to her holding what appears to be the infant's feed: The artist consciously seems to echo, or rather reconstruct a scene associated with divine protection and maternal care. The detail in the print asks whether you might think about how an engraver’s interpretation contributes to building collective memory around the iconography of motherhood? Editor: It's like a stage play happening within the confines of the home. So it feels very carefully staged. The romantic style softens it somehow too. Curator: Precisely! The softness further elevates it beyond the mundane act of feeding and speaks to Romanticism’s interest in emotion, domestic virtue, and the idyllic, even in everyday scenarios. Did you notice any details yourself about the "nurse?" Editor: Seeing the work described in this way does provide a richer perspective. I might have glossed over the staging if not prompted. Now I find my eye lingering to find more detail in that "staging". Curator: And this heightened awareness, this conscious engagement with visual language, is key to unlocking the full potential of art historical interpretation!