The education of the Virgin, with Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary reading with two putti overhead and Saint Joachim behind them at left 1695 - 1723

This etching depicts a scene of religious instruction, a popular theme in 17th-century art. The artwork, created by an anonymous artist sometime between 1695 and 1723, shows Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, instructing her young daughter in the art of reading. The scene is set in an interior space, highlighted by the presence of a column and two putti holding a wreath above. The artist utilizes rich detail and realistic proportions to capture the tender moment between mother and daughter, emphasizing the importance of religious education and the role of women in passing on faith. This print, now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the enduring appeal of biblical narratives in the visual arts.