Heilige Anna leert Maria lezen 1628 - 1689

This engraving, titled "Saint Anne Teaching Mary to Read", depicts Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, instructing her daughter in literacy. The image likely originates from 17th or 18th century Europe, a time when religious instruction was a cornerstone of education, particularly for women. Literacy itself held social and political implications. The ability to read and interpret religious texts empowered individuals but was also carefully managed by religious and political institutions. This image subtly reinforces the role of women within the domestic sphere, emphasizing their responsibility for religious upbringing. We can draw on religious texts, social histories of education, and studies of gender roles in early modern Europe to understand this print more fully. Examining the institutional context surrounding its production and distribution will shed light on its intended audience and its role in shaping religious and social norms.