“Madonna Nursing,” an engraving by Albrecht Dürer dated to 1519, is a religious work created during the Northern Renaissance period. The medium of this artwork is engraving, and its genre falls under religious painting. It is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary seated and nursing the infant Jesus. Mary, represented with a soft expression of motherly tenderness, looks down at the Christ Child with a gentle and affectionate gaze. The Child is closely nestled against her, engaging in the act of breastfeeding. The halo around Mary’s head signifies her saintly nature, and her attire is rendered with meticulous detail, showcasing typical Renaissance-era folds and textures. The background features rays that might suggest divine light radiating from or around the pair, enhancing the sense of holiness in the scene. The intricate line work is indicative of Dürer’s masterful engraving technique, and a subtle monogram appears near the bottom of the composition, likely the artist’s signature. This intimate portrayal emphasizes the human aspects of these religious figures, connecting them to the viewer through a universal act of nurturing.
