The Holy Family with a Parrot
Original title: The Holy Family with a parrot
kurzbeschreibung
Mary holds the Christ Child on her lap while Joseph stands beside them, bearded, and a parrot perches on a pedestal behind. Schelte Adams à Bolswert presents the Holy Family in a natural garden setting. The engraving was made between 1625 and 1659.
Description
In the foreground, Mary sits cradling the infant Jesus; to her right stands Joseph with his beard. A parrot on a pedestal can be made out in the distance. Trees and shrubs frame the figures, giving the impression of a natural environment. The lines are detailed and fluid, emphasizing the texture of the garments and the foliage. The image is monochrome and shows even lighting.
Context
Schelte Adams à Bolswert was a Flemish Baroque engraver known for his reproductive prints after Rubens. This sheet dates from the first half of the 17th century, when religious subjects were widespread in printmaking. The parrot may be read as a symbol of innocence or redemption, a common feature of the iconography of the time. The engraving is in its third state of three, suggesting several revisions of the plate.
Impact
The calm, symmetrical arrangement of the figures conveys a serene and reflective mood. Fine linework and even lighting create a clear, contemplative aesthetic that invites the viewer to devotion.
Technique
The print is an etching, an intaglio process in which lines are bitten into a metal plate. It displays the fine, fluid linework typical of Baroque printmaking. The plate measures 33.5 × 41.6 cm; the sheet is slightly larger (34.8 × 43.1 cm).
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)