Heilige familie met Elisabet en Johannes de Doper 1670

This is Pieter van Schuppen's engraving of the Holy Family with Elizabeth and John the Baptist. Van Schuppen, who lived in the 17th century, was part of a generation that navigated both religious conflict and artistic innovation. This work presents us with the quintessential image of domestic tranquility, but let's look closely at the power dynamics inherent in this family portrait. Mary's serene countenance and Joseph's protective gaze over the Christ child reinforces the idealization of motherhood and fatherhood. However, the inclusion of Elizabeth and John, figures of aging and wisdom, hints at broader themes of time, prophecy, and the intergenerational transmission of faith. Van Schuppen invites us to consider not just the immediate family unit but also the extended network of relationships that shape identity and belief. The very act of depicting the Holy Family becomes a statement about cultural values, about the roles we assign to individuals within society, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.