Maria met Kind, de H. Elisabet en de jonge Johannes de Doper 1515 - 1565

Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio created this engraving of Mary with Child, Saint Elizabeth and the young John the Baptist sometime in the 16th century. Here, Caraglio depicts motherhood and familial bonds through a biblical lens. Mary is depicted as youthful and serene while Elizabeth is older and appears careworn. The contrast invites us to consider the different stages of womanhood within the context of religious life. The tenderness between the figures transcends religious iconography to reflect universal themes of love, care, and generational connections. The setting, with its classical ruins, suggests a timeless narrative, blending the sacred with the historical. While the image adheres to traditional representations of these biblical figures, it also quietly emphasizes the intimate, human aspects of their relationships. The work provides a glimpse into the social values and emotional landscapes of the Renaissance, reflecting societal expectations around family, faith, and the roles of women.