Madonna with a Rose 1595 - 1616

Jacques Bellange created "Madonna with a Rose" using etching techniques during the early 17th century. Bellange, working in the Duchy of Lorraine, situated between France and the Holy Roman Empire, lived during a period of intense political and religious conflict. This artwork, like many of its time, reflects the cultural obsession with idealized motherhood and the potent imagery of the Virgin Mary. Bellange uses swirling lines and dramatic lighting to create a deeply emotional scene. The Madonna's gaze is cast downwards towards her child, creating an intimate and tender moment. Yet, this representation departs from traditional depictions through the figures’ elongated forms and somewhat melancholic expressions. The Virgin, while retaining her purity, seems imbued with a sense of worldly sorrow. Bellange’s Madonna invites us to contemplate the dual nature of motherhood, and how societal expectations of women are interwoven with themes of sacrifice, beauty, and sorrow.