I'm baffled. The painting is exceptional but the rational is... well I guess you can't take the York out of the girl.
She sees herself in the Madonna, and her sons in Jesus Christ, rising up against the ashes of the ruins around them. Because the Mary looks less Saint-like, than normal, out of virginal blue and pristine setting, due to a beige dress with a basket and that models Eugenies humble life toiling with her boys in domesticity