Heilige Familie met Johannes de Doper 1723 - 1789

This engraving of the Holy Family with John the Baptist was rendered by Jacob Hoolaart sometime in the 18th century. The most striking element is the motif of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding, a visual representation of 'Maria Lactans'. The image of the nursing Madonna is an ancient one, dating back to early Christianity in the catacombs of Rome, as an expression of the divine and earthly nourishment the Virgin provides, a symbol of grace, abundance, and maternal care, echoed in pagan imagery of nurturing goddesses, like Isis feeding Horus. Yet, this intimate act also triggers deeply rooted psychological responses, evoking the primal bond between mother and child, a fundamental aspect of human experience that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries. From the catacombs to Hoolaart’s engraving, this symbol demonstrates the human desire to connect with the sacred, constantly resurfacing and adapting to new cultural contexts.