Heilige Familie met Maria die het Christuskind in bad doet 1642 - 1700

This engraving by Jean Pesne shows the Holy Family with Mary bathing the Christ Child. Made in France in the 17th century, it reflects the period's artistic and religious sensibilities. Images of the Holy Family such as this were extremely popular at the time. They were often commissioned by wealthy families to publicly display their affluence and piety. In this image, the children surrounding the bath are a typical motif symbolizing innocence and divine blessing. Note how the classical architectural backdrop serves to elevate the scene, linking it to the grandeur of antiquity and the authority of the Catholic Church. To fully understand this image, we might consult period religious texts, family records, and art market data. This would help us appreciate the complex interplay between artistic expression, religious doctrine, and social status in the 17th century. The meaning of art is always contingent on such context, and this is what makes it such a fascinating subject for historical enquiry.