Anna te Drieën 1671 - 1716

This small print, made in 1716 in Amsterdam, depicts Saint Anne with Mary and the Christ Child, a subject that carries layers of symbolic meaning. The grouping itself, known as the "Anna te Drieën," highlights the lineage and humanity of Christ through his maternal family. Note how Saint Anne is depicted alongside Mary and the infant Jesus, all radiating divine light, enthroned in heavenly clouds. The arrangement speaks to the Holy Kinship, a powerful motif emphasizing family bonds and the intergenerational transmission of faith. Consider the cross behind them, partially hidden, yet undeniably present; it's a potent reminder of Christ's future sacrifice. This echoes the "Heilsgeschichte," the story of salvation, which connects past, present, and future in a continuous thread. This motif of the Holy Kinship appears in various forms throughout art history. It serves as a visual anchor, a testament to the enduring power of family, faith, and the cyclical nature of human experience. This image reminds us that symbols transcend time, continually resurfacing and evolving to reflect the ever-changing human condition.