Maria met kind en Johannes de Doper 1618 - 1655

Cornelis Schut etched this print, ‘Maria met kind en Johannes de Doper’, sometime between 1610 and 1655. We see Mary with the infant Jesus, accompanied by John the Baptist, all watched over by cherubic angels. Note the lamb nestled at the feet of the children. This seemingly gentle creature is laden with symbolic weight, a motif extending far back into antiquity. The lamb is ‘agnus dei’, a symbol of Christ's sacrificial destiny and purity. The image of the lamb appears in early Christian art as a direct reference to Christ, echoing the idea of sacrifice found in pagan rituals and mystery religions. Observe how the innocence of the lamb contrasts with the profound destiny it signifies. Such juxtapositions tap into a deep reservoir of human emotion, where innocence and fate intertwine. This image evokes a powerful emotional response, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical nature of sacrifice, redemption, and renewal. It is a motif that resurfaces through time, carrying a powerful cultural and emotional charge.