Zittende Madonna en Jozef met bril c. 1642 - 1650

This engraving by Cornelis Bloemaert, whose dates are 1603 to 1684, depicts the Virgin and Child with Saint Joseph and John the Baptist. Bloemaert was working within a society deeply shaped by religious narratives, particularly from the bible, but his image diverges from traditional representations. Bloemaert subtly challenges the canon by including eyeglasses on Saint Joseph, marking him not just as a holy figure, but also as an intellectual, a scholar, a man of knowledge. This detail suggests a more human, accessible interpretation of religious figures. The softness in the rendering of Mary’s face, her tender gaze, offers a familiar, intimate portrayal of motherhood, while Joseph peers over his spectacles, looking at the children with concern. The artist invites viewers to find common ground with these venerated figures. Bloemaert transforms these figures into people whose lives—with their quiet moments of reflection and care—mirror our own.