Maria met kind in landschap

About this artwork

Maria met kind zittend in een landschap. In ondermarge regel tekst uit bijbel: Luc. 11. En vijf regels Latijnse tekst.

Art Historical Context

Behold the serene engraving *Maria met kind in land* (Mary with Child in a Landscape) by Dutch artist Antony van der Does, created between 1634 and1652. This intimate scene captures the Virgin Mary seated tenderly with the infant Jesus amidst a lush, naturalistic landscape—a classic motif in Christian iconography symbolizing divine motherhood and the harmony of heaven and earth. Measuring 283 mm high by 212 mm wide, the work exemplifies the precision of 17th-century Dutch engraving, a technique van der Does mastered in Leiden during the Golden Age. Engravings like this were vital for spreading religious devotion, allowing affordable reproductions of devotional images for homes and churches. Van der Does, part of a noted family of printmakers, employed fine lines and intricate cross-hatching to evoke depth and texture in the foliage and drapery, reflecting Baroque influences with their emphasis on emotional realism and light effects. The lower margin features a key biblical verse from Luke 11:27–28 ("Blessed is the womb that bore you..."), praising Mary's virtue, alongside five lines of Latin text likely offering prayerful commentary. This piece invites contemplation of faith amid nature's beauty, a cultural touchstone in Protestant Netherlands where such prints bridged art and spirituality for everyday believers.

About the Artist

Antony van der Does · 1609–1680

Flemish, 1609–1680