Heilige familie met Johannes de Doper als kind 1630s

Marinus Robyn van der Goes created this print, "Holy Family with John the Baptist as a Child," sometime in the early 17th century. The scene is structured around a central pyramidal arrangement of figures, set against a backdrop that blends domestic intimacy with classical architecture. Notice the stark contrast of light and shadow which animates the figures, creating a sense of depth and drama. The artist's skilled use of line, particularly in the delicate rendering of fabric and hair, adds a tactile quality to the scene. The composition invites us to contemplate the interplay between the figures: the Virgin Mary with Jesus, Joseph, and the young John the Baptist. Beyond its religious subject matter, this work engages with broader artistic concerns. The composition reflects a society in flux and questions about how the symbolic could be reimagined through formal innovation. The print invites us to consider not only its immediate aesthetic qualities but also its place within a broader cultural dialogue about faith, representation, and artistic expression.