The Madonna Spinning
1615
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1615
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Madonna Spinning is a 1615 ink by Jacques Bellange, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a woman sitting on a rock, holding a spindle while a baby sleeps beside her. Behind them, a small figure kneels, looking up. The woman’s dress flows loosely, and the scene feels quiet and still. The artist used sharp lines to show fabric folds and the rough rock, making everything look textured. This kind of printmaking is called etching. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
