Madonna met kind in de wolken 1615 - 1676

Cornelis Bloemaert created this engraving of the Madonna and Child in the clouds in the 17th century. During this time, the Catholic Church used images like this as powerful tools to reaffirm religious doctrine. Note the Madonna’s serene expression. Bloemaert presents her as the ideal of feminine purity and maternal love, a representation deeply entrenched in Western art and culture. Yet, this image also invites contemplation on the expectations placed on women, particularly within religious contexts. The sea of cherubic faces surrounding Mary suggests both adoration and a kind of heavenly surveillance, reinforcing the idea of ​​women being held to impossible standards of piety. The gaze of the Christ child holding an orb is direct, almost confrontational, which gives a sense of his authority. This engraving invites us to consider how religious imagery shapes our understanding of gender, power, and spirituality.