Heilige Familie 1589 - 1615

Lucas Kilian created this engraving of the Holy Family, now held in the Rijksmuseum. We see Mary cradling the infant Christ, with Joseph standing protectively behind them. The torch held by an attendant at the rear symbolizes enlightenment and divine presence. Consider the Madonna and Child motif across cultures: the protective mother, the divine infant. This pairing resonates through time, echoing ancient Egyptian depictions of Isis and Horus. The pose, the tender gaze, these elements recur, adapted to different cultural and religious contexts, each iteration layering new meanings onto the archetypal image. This Madonna encapsulates both divine grace and human tenderness, engaging us on a deeply emotional level. The Holy Family has reappeared throughout history, continually transformed, yet eternally recognizable, thus demonstrating the cyclical nature of cultural memory.