Crossword Genius

Mature mother cradling son in Michelangelo's work? (3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

old master

'michelangelo's work?' is the definition.

'mature mother cradling son' is the wordplay.
'mature' becomes 'old' (associated in meaning).
'mother' becomes 'mater' (old-fashioned term for mother).
'cradling' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'son' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation for son).
'mater' going around 's' is 'master'.
'old'+'master'='OLD MASTER'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for old master that I've seen before include "Great painting of former times" , "He was a great exponent of art" , "Liege lord" , "A great European painter - a painting by one" , "scholar with greybeard" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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