De heilige familie 1583 - 1649

Hendrick Hondius I created this engraving of the Holy Family, and its landscape setting, evokes symbolic dimensions that echo through art history. The staff carried by Joseph is not merely a walking aid, but a visual echo of the staffs of pilgrims and prophets, signaling a journey, both physical and spiritual. Recall the many depictions of Hermes, whose caduceus bears a striking resemblance, acting as a guide between worlds. Similarly, the Christ child offering a flower to Mary can be traced back to pagan iconography, where offerings to deities were common, signifying purity, sacrifice, and rebirth. The motif of offering reappears, transformed and adapted through centuries. These gestures and symbols trigger in us a deep, subconscious recognition. The emotional power of such imagery lies in its capacity to engage viewers on a deeply subconscious level, echoing the collective memory of humankind. Ultimately, this cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing and evolving, reflects the enduring human quest to find meaning and connection across time.