The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and John the Baptist as a Child (1620, Met-Objekt 1071)
Original title: The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and John the Baptist as a Child
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike typical devotional images of the Holy Family, this 1620 engraving by Lucas Vorsterman I places the child John the Baptist in the foreground. It is the fifth state of five and belongs to the tradition of religious printmaking.
Description
A symmetrical layout defines the print: Mary enthroned at the center with Jesus on her lap, while Joseph and John the Baptist flank her. Behind the figures, Elizabeth appears against a hint of temple or church architecture. Traditional robes and detailed, mannerist elongated bodies dominate the image. The view remains monochrome, as the engraving technique dictates.
Context
As a Flemish engraver, Lucas Vorsterman I worked closely with Peter Paul Rubens. In 1620, during the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the church encouraged religious themes in art. The Holy Family with John the Baptist was a common subject in Baroque art, emphasizing the close bond between Jesus and John.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and calm, even light create a dignified, devotional mood. Fine details in the drapery and mannerist proportions feel solemn, almost theatrical, inviting the viewer to contemplation.
Technique
In engraving, the design is cut into a copper plate. This impression comes from the fifth state, indicating later reworking of the plate. The sheet measures 26.7 × 20 cm, so the original plate mark has been removed.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)