Heilige Familie met de Heilige Catherina 1626 - 1671

This etching of the Holy Family with Saint Catherine was made by Sebastien Bourdon in the 17th century. The virgin cradles the Christ Child in her arms, while Saint Catherine looks on, a scene brimming with symbolism. The motif of the Madonna and Child has ancient roots, echoing pagan images of mother goddesses. Yet here, it is transformed, embodying Christian virtues of purity and divine love. This iconography can be traced back through centuries, each era imbuing it with new layers of meaning. This maternal embrace transcends simple affection, engaging collective memory and subconscious longings, and is an emotional nexus, connecting us to primal feelings of protection and nurture. This cyclical recurrence highlights the non-linear progression of symbols. These symbols, like the Madonna and Child, resurface across time, evolving in form, yet retaining their profound psychological resonance.