Heilige Familie met de jonge Johannes de Doper en Maria Magdalena 1501 - 1580

This image, Holy Family with the Young Saint John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene, is an engraving by an anonymous artist. The composition of the image, with its figures arranged in a pyramidal structure, clearly takes inspiration from Renaissance models, specifically those developed in Italy. We see a tranquil, idealized vision of the Holy Family. But the inclusion of Mary Magdalene, a figure often associated with repentance, introduces a layer of complexity. The landscape, with its classical ruins, reinforces a sense of historical grandeur. The question remains: what was the intended audience for this print? Was it aimed at collectors, or the wider public? Was it intended for devotional use, or was it more of a display of artistic skill and knowledge? These are questions we can begin to answer through careful research into the printmaking industry and religious culture of the time. Through such methods, we can start to uncover the social and institutional contexts in which this image was created and consumed.