Huwelijk van Maria en Jozef (rechter deel) 1633 - 1700

Jean Pesne made this engraving, "Marriage of Maria and Joseph," in the late 17th century. Here, Pesne reproduces an earlier painting, likely for dissemination to a wider audience. In the image, Mary kneels before Joseph during their wedding ceremony, surrounded by onlookers in a classical building. We should consider the institutional and political functions of prints like this one. In 17th-century Europe, religious imagery played a vital role in shaping cultural and spiritual life. Prints of biblical scenes were not merely aesthetic objects; they reinforced religious teachings, moral values, and the authority of the Church. The social conditions that shaped artistic production at the time were deeply intertwined with religious and political power structures. Artists often relied on patronage from religious institutions, which influenced the themes and styles of their work. By studying such images, along with the institutional and cultural contexts in which they were produced, we can gain a deeper understanding of the public role of art and the politics of imagery.