Heilige Jozef met het Christuskind 1660

This is Johann Jakob Thurneysen’s engraving of Saint Joseph with the Christ Child. The figures are framed by a circle, drawing our attention to the intimate portrayal of Joseph cradling the infant Jesus. The composition is striking. Notice how the artist uses the circular frame to emphasize the closeness and protective embrace between the two figures. Light and shadow play across their faces and robes, creating a sense of depth and texture. This is achieved through the use of fine, intricate lines characteristic of engraving, adding a tactile dimension to the image. Consider how Thurneysen employs the classical form of the tondo to convey a sense of Renaissance humanism. The figures are idealized, yet the detailed rendering of their features—the softness of the child's skin, the lines on Joseph's face—brings a tangible humanity to the divine. The subtle emotional connection between the figures evokes a sense of tenderness and care. This is heightened by the circular composition, reinforcing the enclosed, loving relationship depicted.