The Virgin and Child with Saint John 

This etching of the Virgin and Child with Saint John was created by the Italian artist, Simone Cantarini, in the first half of the 17th century. Cantarini lived during the Baroque period, a time when the Catholic Church used art to reaffirm its spiritual authority. In Italy, powerful families were often the patrons of the arts. They could often commission works for their private collections, as well as for public display in churches. The image of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, alongside John the Baptist, was a common theme at the time. Cantarini creates meaning through visual codes. The depiction of the Holy family can be seen as a demonstration of the power of the Catholic Church. The image reflects the religious culture of the time. To better understand this work, one might research the lives of Cantarini's patrons, or study the Counter-Reformation's influence on Baroque art.