Maria het Kind zogend 1686 - 1748

This is Giovanni Girolamo Frezza’s engraving, “Maria het Kind zogend,” made sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This piece illustrates the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the infant Jesus, a common subject in European art of this period. The act of breastfeeding, or “lactation,” was often used as a powerful symbol, emphasizing Mary’s humanity, nurturing nature, and the intimate connection between mother and child. Here, Frezza presents Mary with a serene, almost stoic expression. The delicate lines of the engraving capture the softness of her gaze and the gentle curve of her body as she cradles Jesus. This image deviates from traditional depictions of motherhood; it seems less sentimental and more focused on the quiet strength and resilience of Mary. The act of breastfeeding, often romanticized, is presented here with a certain directness, highlighting the physical and emotional demands of motherhood. It invites us to reflect on the ways in which motherhood has been idealized and the often-unseen realities of caregiving.