Jozef met het Christuskind in zijn armen 1642 - 1657

Bartolomeo Biscaino created this print, "Joseph with the Christ Child in his arms," sometime in the mid-17th century. Notice how the composition is dominated by a network of fine lines, creating a dense, almost tactile texture. This is achieved through the etching technique, where acid bites into the metal plate to produce these intricate marks. The artist uses line to model form, create depth, and evoke a sense of intimacy between Joseph and the Christ Child. Consider the radiating lines behind the child, suggesting a halo. This isn't just a depiction of familial tenderness, but also of divine presence made visible through formal devices. Biscaino employs a semiotic system of signs that would have been well-understood in his time. The very act of representing the sacred through these lines engages with theological debates about image-making. The etching thus becomes a site where the spiritual and material intersect, inviting viewers to contemplate the mysteries of faith through the language of art.