Heilige Familie c. 1579 - 1615

Dominicus Custos created this engraving, "Heilige Familie," around the turn of the 17th century. The figures are tightly arranged within an oval frame, creating an intimate and enclosed space. Custos employs a dense network of fine lines to define forms and suggest tonal variations. Notice how the composition is structured around the central embrace of Mary and the Christ Child, flanked by Joseph absorbed in reading. The background architecture adds a layer of classical order, contrasting with the tenderness of the family scene. The inscription surrounding the image integrates text with the visual field, blurring the lines between image and commentary. What might the structure of this piece suggest about early modern notions of family, knowledge, and divine order? How does the combination of classical and religious motifs contribute to the work's layered meaning? Custos invites us to consider how artistic forms reflect and shape cultural values.