The Holy Family before a Column 1585

This 1585 engraving by Hendrick Goltzius, titled "The Holy Family before a Column", depicts the Virgin Mary, the infant Jesus, and Saint Joseph. Goltzius was a Dutch artist known for his mastery of printmaking and his ability to capture the Mannerist style. The engraving features a classical composition with a sense of grandeur and a strong sense of depth created by the receding perspective of the scene. The figures are depicted in a realistic yet stylized manner, with emphasis on their emotional expression. This work is an example of Goltzius’s talent for depicting religious subjects with intricate detail and dramatic lighting.