Visitatie 1655 - 1699

Jean Louis Roullet created this print, Visitatie, sometime in the late 17th century, and here we see the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, each pregnant, and the recognition of the Messiah in Mary's womb. The act of greeting is central here; the women reach out and join hands. This motif of physical connection appears in other artworks as well. The clasped hands carry cultural significance across time, symbolizing agreement, peace, and mutual respect. Think of ancient Roman depictions of Concordia, the goddess of harmony, holding hands with another deity. This gesture resonates through history, even in contemporary political imagery. The meeting of Mary and Elizabeth is charged with the power of recognition. This moment captures something of a profound, subconscious connection, like an echo chamber of shared anticipation and recognition of the divine. Thus, the motif of joined hands continues its non-linear progression through art and history. Its meanings evolve, deepen, and resurface in various contexts, enriching our understanding of human connection and cultural memory.