Fotoreproductie van een schilderij voorstellende Christus, Maria, twee koningen en herder 1860 - 1875

Josef Löwy created this photogravure of a painting depicting Christ, Mary, two kings, and a shepherd in the late 19th century. Löwy was working in a period where Vienna's Jewish population was experiencing growing pains; increased rights coupled with rising antisemitism. This image, a reproduction of an older painting, speaks to complex relationships of power and faith. Mary, central and draped, is the only woman; she is beatific and burdened by her role. The depiction of the infant Jesus as distinctly male and naked touches on themes of vulnerability and divinity, challenging conventional representations of holiness. The solemn expressions of the figures evoke a sense of reverence, yet their placement within the composition invites us to reflect on the dynamics of spectatorship and participation in religious narratives. It suggests questions about who is welcomed, who is marginalized, and whose stories are told and retold. Löwy’s work invites reflection on the personal dimensions of faith and the broader social structures that shape religious expression.