Fotoreproductie van De Heilige Familie door Parmigianino before 1876

Anselm Schmitz created this photogravure reproduction of Parmigianino's "Holy Family" sometime between 1831 and 1903. Schmitz, working in the wake of industrialization, engaged with reproductive technologies that democratized access to masterworks, thus transforming their cultural significance. During this era, images of the Holy Family were far more than simple devotional aids. They were potent symbols of domesticity, reinforcing gender roles and societal expectations. The idealized version of motherhood presented in the original painting by Parmigianino, is captured here in this photogravure. The figures are softened through this printing process. How might the softness with which they are portrayed play into how we are supposed to view the Holy Family? Consider how the act of reproduction impacts our relationship with art and faith. Schmitz's work invites us to reflect on the ways in which images shape not only our aesthetic sensibilities, but also our understanding of family, gender, and spirituality.