Madonna with a Rose

Art Historical Context

Jacques Bellange’s “Madonna with a Rose,” created between 1595 and 1616, is a delicate etching that captures the tender intimacy of the Madonna and Child. Measuring just 8 by 5 9/16 inches, this small print exemplifies the refined printmaking tradition of early seventeenth-century France. Bellange, active in the court of Lorraine, used the etching technique to achieve fine, expressive lines that convey both spiritual grace and human warmth. The rose held by the Virgin is a longstanding symbol of purity and divine love in Christian art, adding layers of meaning to this devotional image. As an etching, the work could be reproduced and shared widely, allowing viewers beyond the church to engage with sacred themes in a personal way. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection highlights the enduring appeal of such prints, which blend technical precision with quiet emotional resonance for audiences across centuries.

About the Artist

Jacques Bellange · 1570–1616

Jacques Bellange (c. 1575–1616) was a French artist and printmaker active in the independent Duchy of Lorraine, now part of France. Believed to have been born in the Bassigny region south of Nancy, his early life and training remain sparsely documented, with no records of specific teachers or mentors. He first appears in historical records in 1595 at La Mothe, where he took on an apprentice, sugge...