Fotoreproductie van het schilderij De Heilige Familie door Giulio Romano before 1875

This is a photographic reproduction of the painting *The Holy Family* by Giulio Romano. Notice the central motif: the infant Jesus, supported by Mary, about to be bathed. This act of purification is loaded with symbolism, prefiguring Christ’s baptism and his cleansing of humanity’s sins. Consider how this image reverberates with earlier depictions of ritual cleansing in antiquity, be it pagan or Christian. Recall the classical motif of the bathing Venus, reborn from the sea, and the visual parallels become striking. These images are not merely aesthetic; they tap into a deep-seated human need for purification, renewal, and redemption. The collective memory of these motifs affects us, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Observe how these visual symbols cycle through time, resurfacing in new guises, and adapting to different cultural contexts. In each iteration, they reveal the persistent power of images to evoke profound emotional and psychological states.