The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the infant Saint John the Baptist (ca. 1615–75, Met-Objekt 1169)
Original title: The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the infant Saint John the Baptist
kurzbeschreibung
Made between 1615 and 1675, this engraving by Lucas Vorsterman I presents the Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the infant John the Baptist. The print ranks among the carefully finished examples of Baroque printmaking, placing the group of figures in a familiar domestic setting.
Description
A balanced arrangement gathers several figures around an infant seated in a basket. On the left stands a bearded man in a long cloak, while at the center a woman holds the child to her breast; she wears a dress with a shawl and her hair tied back. To her right, an older woman in a headscarf and fur-trimmed robe also touches the child. The infant is barefoot, with only a cloth wrapped around his hips. A doorway behind them suggests spatial depth, and Latin inscriptions at the bottom name the artist and the title.
Context
Lucas Vorsterman I (1595–1675) was a Flemish engraver who made his name chiefly through reproductive prints after works by Peter Paul Rubens. He worked in Antwerp and later in England, where he served the court. This engraving belongs to a period when religious subjects were widespread in the Catholic art of Flanders and reached a broad audience through printed images.
Impact
The symmetrical layout and the calm bearing of the figures produce a balanced, harmonious impression. Delicate lines and graded shadows convey an intimate, devotional atmosphere that draws the viewer into the event.
Technique
This sheet is an engraving, in which the lines are incised into a copper plate. The precisely placed lines and carefully graduated shadows attest to the engraver's high level of craftsmanship. The paper has been trimmed, suggesting later use or framing.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)