Maria 1650

Mattheus Borrekens created this print, titled 'Maria,' sometime during his lifetime, between 1615 and 1670. Borrekens, a Flemish artist working in a period of immense religious and political conflict, offers us an intimate, almost visceral, portrayal of the Virgin Mary. The fragment of her draped figure, set against a landscape, positions her as a figure both divine and deeply human. Consider the historical context: the Catholic Counter-Reformation was in full swing, and images of Mary were powerful symbols of faith and piety. Yet, Borrekens avoids the traditional idealized representation. Instead, he directs our gaze downwards, focusing on the lower portion of her body and a branch of thorns, creating a sense of humility. This depiction subtly shifts the narrative from the untouchable Queen of Heaven to a compassionate figure connected to earthly suffering. The thorns allude to future suffering, prefiguring the Passion, and perhaps speaking to the personal and collective anxieties of the time. This isn't just a picture of a religious icon; it’s an invitation to reflect on the complexities of faith, suffering, and hope in a world marked by uncertainty.