Not currently on view
In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of August 2026
FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG
Bellange produced only 48 etchings between 1611 and 1616, yet his brilliant artistic imagination and technical mastery place him among the greatest European printmakers of the 17th century. Although based on traditional Christian imagery, Bellange’s etchings are filled with an unusual psychological drama and a penetrating spirituality. Elongated, sensual figures engage in provocative scenes that might seem extreme or even bizarre but are characteristic of Mannerism, an international artistic style at the time. Here, the Virgin Mary spins thread while the Christ child sleeps. The basket of wool and the distaff holding the wool as it is spun both relate to the legend that describes the Virgin’s upbringing at the Temple of Jerusalem, where she spun wool and wove vestments for the priests.
Be the first to share your thoughts.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Jacques Bellange|Le Blond — Virgin and Child with an Angel
Carlo Maratti (Italian, 1625–1713) — Virgin and Child with t
Federico Barocci (Italian, 1528–1612) — The Annunciation
Pieter de Jode I|Peter Paul Rubens|Johannes Meyssens — The C
Carlo Maratti — The Marriage of St. Catherine
Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617) — The Annunciation
Guido Reni — The Virgin and Child at a table with the young 
Carlo Maratti — The Marriage of St. Catherine
Jacques Callot (French, 1592–1635) — The Annunciation
Gillis Hendricx|Schelte Adams à Bolswert|Peter Paul Rubens —
Claude Gillot|Jacques Gabriel Huquier — Annunciation
Guido Reni|Anonymous, 17th century|Anthony Bonenfant — The V
