Maria met kind 1715

This print, "Maria met kind," was created by Bernard Picart around 1719. The composition centres on the figures of Mary and the infant Christ, presented in a tightly framed, intimate setting. Notice the use of line and shading. Picart masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching to create a nuanced tonal range, giving depth and volume to the figures. The delicate lines form intricate patterns in Mary’s veil and hair, contrasting with the smoother skin of the infant. This contrast creates visual interest while emphasizing the purity of Mary, whose expression and posture communicate both tenderness and solemnity. The artist's technique is not merely representational, it enhances the iconographic meaning of the artwork by adding layers of emotional and spiritual significance. As viewers, we are invited to decode the visual signs and their relationship to the divine. This engraving speaks to the power of art as a conduit for religious and cultural values.