Liefde (Caritas) 1593

"Liefde (Caritas)" (1593) by Jacob Matham, a Dutch engraver, is a depiction of a mother holding two children. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, uses a chiaroscuro technique with bold lines and hatching to create a sense of volume and depth. The image emphasizes the maternal figure, a theme often explored in Matham's work, as well as the concept of charity and love through the Latin inscription below. The composition and style are characteristic of the Mannerist period, a style that emerged during the late Renaissance. The use of light and shadow, as well as the elongated and graceful figures, are all hallmarks of this artistic movement.