Heilige Familie omringd door guirlandes 1640 - 1701

Pierre Landry created this engraving of the Holy Family surrounded by garlands sometime in the 17th century. It is an intimate depiction that is characteristic of counter-reformation art, with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus framed by earthly symbols of power and sin. Made in France, this image reflects the renewed interest in religious subjects following the Council of Trent. The Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through art that was emotionally engaging and doctrinally clear. The Holy Family is presented as an ideal of domestic virtue, with the earthly globe and serpent symbolizing Christ's triumph over sin and the world. The garlands, reminiscent of classical art, signaled the rebirth of faith and the Church’s power in the face of Protestantism. Understanding this artwork requires an understanding of religious history and the institutions that shaped artistic production at the time. Only through careful research can we understand its meaning and appreciate the ways in which art reflects and shapes the values of its time.