Moeder met kind 1836 - 1911

Editor: Here we have "Moeder met kind," or "Mother and Child," by Willem Steelink. The print is somewhere between 1836 and 1911. There is such tenderness here. I am moved by the composition and lighting. I find it so romantic and dream-like, and the medium seems so fitting. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, yes, tenderness alright. Steelink captured a moment, didn't he? She's caught in thought, and the baby... totally blissed out! To me, it's like a stolen glance into a private world, but at the same time I cannot but reflect upon how every image carries the heavy load of time and cultural imprint. Look at the way the light catches her face - there's a delicate desperation there. Makes you wonder about her story, doesn't it? Editor: It does! Was this image possibly used in an advertisement? Curator: Interesting idea! It certainly has a quality that speaks to something deeper than just the visual. It has narrative possibilities. These types of works could reflect both social mores of the time while acting to idealize, well…motherhood. It's as if Steelink's hand allowed the world to peek into a sacred corner. How can one not see a reflection of self and other at the same time. Do you see something of a performance, or is the mood different to you? Editor: I think there's a performative element for sure, now that you mention it. Yet I find her humanity more profound. Thank you for your explanation! Curator: My pleasure. It's funny how one image can unlock so much.