It is amazing how you notice Lactating women in medieval art after you have had
children.  I have been lucky enough to visit La Louvre twice in my life; in 1987
newly married and first time in Europe and this year - I don't know why I didn't
notice all those Flemish paintings last time, especially in the rooms around the
Mona Lisa.  Funny how your perspective changes.

In the Cathedral at Pisa (I've had a good year for travel) the pulpit is surrounded
by reliefs pertaining to the political environment existing in the Church at the time
the Cathedral was built 1500 (something or other).  My absolute favourite was
Mary nursing the two arms of the Church; depicted as very active Toddlers in
positions we all could relate to.  No subtle little docile infant here!  These babes
were standing on her lap and each holding a breast with two hands.  I loved it,
unfortunatly we didn't have a flash for the camera.

Carmel
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| Carmel Barber    EMail [log in to unmask]
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,  That sucks the nurse asleep?
William Shakespeare  1564-1616
Antony and Cleopatra [1606-1607],Act: V, Scene: ii, Line: 311
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