The Education of the Virgin (ca. 1630–54, Met-Objekt 1175)
Original title: The education of the Virgin, with Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary reading with two putti overhead and Saint Joachim behind them at right
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike standard devotional images of Mary's childhood, this print foregrounds her instruction by her mother Anna, with Joachim relegated to the background. Schelte Adams à Bolswert made the etching and engraving between about 1630 and 1654. The subject belongs to a series on Mary's early life and emphasizes her pious upbringing.
Description
Mary sits at the center, reading from a book; Anna stands beside her, while Joachim appears behind them on the right. Above, two putti hover, carrying flowers and wreaths. Trees and columns frame the scene into an Arcadian landscape. Even light defines the contours of garments and faces. The monochrome print is symmetrically arranged, with the floating putti drawing the eye upward.
Context
Bolswert, a seventeenth-century Flemish engraver, is best known for his reproductive prints after Rubens. This sheet, too, probably derives from a painting or drawing by Rubens, since Bolswert frequently translated his works into prints. The education of Mary was a popular Counter-Reformation subject that highlighted her role and that of her family. The existence of five states, of which this is the second, attests to repeated reworking and suggests wide circulation.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and gentle lighting give the scene a calm, devotional feel. The hovering putti add a heavenly note without disturbing the figures' earthly intimacy. The result is an impression of dignity and quiet piety that invites meditation.
Technique
Combining etching and engraving allows for fine lines and precise hatching. This enables detailed rendering of garments and background. The second state points to corrections or additions to the plate that refined the image's effect.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)