Madonnas are anything more than pretty blondes of that period enhanced by
the Raphaelesque touch, which they declare is a profane touch. Be that
as it may, people's religious and aesthetic needs went arm in arm, and
there was, as I may say, a demand for the Blessed Virgin, visible and
adorable, which must have given firmness to the artist's hand. I am
afraid there is no demand now."

My companion seemed painfully puzzled; he shivered, as it were, in this
chilling blast of scepticism. Then shaking his head with sublime
confidence--"There is always a demand!" he cried; "that ineffable type is
one of the eternal needs of man's heart; but pious souls long for it in
silence, almost in shame. Let it appear, and their faith grows brave.
How _should_ it appear in this corrupt generation? It cannot be made to
order. It could, indeed, when the order came, trumpet-toned, from the
lips of the Church herself, and was addressed to genius panting with
inspiration. But it can spring now only from the soil of passionate
labour and culture. Do you really fancy that while, from time to time, a
man of complete artistic vision is born into the world, that image can
perish? The man who paints it has painted everything. The subject
admits of every perfection--form, colour, expression, composition. It
can be as simple as you please, and yet as rich; as broad and pure, and
yet as full of delicate detail. Think of the chance for flesh in the
little naked, nestling child, irradiating divinity; of the chance for
drapery in the chaste and ample garment of the mother! think of the great
story you compress into that simple theme! Think, above all, of the
mother's face and its ineffable suggestiveness, of the mingled burden of
joy and trouble, the tenderness turned to worship, and the worship turned
to far-seeing pity! Then look at it all in perfect line and lovely
colour, breathing truth and beauty and mastery!"