The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist; (reverse) Trompe-l'oeil with Painting of The Man of Sorrows 1514 - 1515

Bernard van Orley created "The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist" as an oil on panel, during the Northern Renaissance. The painting provides us with a window into the social customs and gendered roles of the 16th century. The left side of the panel depicts the father, Zacharias, naming John. Note how he is placed outside the domestic sphere. Whereas the right side is dominated by women attending to the intimate rituals of childbirth and infant care. The opulent fabrics and detailed architecture speak to the family’s wealth, highlighting the class distinctions within society at the time. The presence of the peacock is a symbol of both wealth and vanity, but also, in Christian iconography, resurrection, connecting John’s birth to themes of renewal and divine purpose. Van Orley uses traditional religious narratives to subtly reflect and shape contemporary societal values. The tender care shown to the newborn invites us to reflect on the universal experiences of birth, family, and faith.