What is the History of Christian art showing the Virgin Mary suckling the Infant Jesus?
The image of Mary suckling the baby Jesus is referred to as Maria lactans. Though not exactly a very common representation of the Madonna, it did have periods of relative fame. At one time erroneously attributed to pagan Egyptian origins (based on the Isis-Horus relationship), this type of representation has most certainly developed from depictions of the adoration of the Magi, as early as the late fourth century (Museo Nazionale, Roma). The type of the Galaktotrophusa (suckling mother – see right) was popular among Egyptian Christians but rare in Byzantium (Medinet el-Fajum, late fourth century). It is only later that the suckling mother becomes the enthroned Madonna sitting in the midst of the apostles. The representation of Maria lactans remains exceptionally rare until the thirteenth century (see, for example, stone-relief of Maria lactans according to Dom Rupert, 1170-80, Liege, Belgium), when theology and art shifted from a more spiritual viewpoint about God, Christ and holy pers
