Maria zoogt het Christuskind 1615 - 1691

This print, "Maria zoogt het Christuskind", depicts the Virgin Mary nursing the Christ Child. This intimate act, known as the Madonna Lactans motif, carries deep symbolic weight. The image has roots in ancient fertility goddesses. Think of Isis nursing Horus, an Egyptian motif, that highlights the power and nourishment of maternal love. The Madonna Lactans evolved within Christianity, emphasizing Mary's role as the nurturing Mother of God. It is a powerful symbol of compassion and divine grace made accessible. The gesture of breastfeeding engages viewers on a visceral level. It triggers subconscious associations with comfort, security, and the primal bond between mother and child. This cyclical progression has resurfaced across cultures, evolving with shifting religious and societal values, yet retaining its core emotional resonance.