Maria met Kind, Johannes de Doper en H. Franciscus 1592 - 1596

Jacob Matham created this engraving, Maria met Kind, Johannes de Doper en H. Franciscus, around the turn of the 17th century in the Netherlands. The work depicts the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, John the Baptist, and St. Francis. Images like this played a crucial role in shaping religious devotion in this era. Engravings were often commissioned by religious orders and distributed widely. The ability to reproduce images allowed for standardized representations of saints and biblical scenes that reinforced specific theological interpretations. St. Francis, for example, was a popular figure in the Counter-Reformation, embodying ideals of poverty and piety promoted by the Catholic Church. To truly understand the impact of Matham's engraving, we need to consider the social and religious context in which it was created. Art historians examine prints, letters, and other historical documents to uncover the economic, political, and religious factors that influenced the production and reception of art. The meaning of art is never fixed. It is always dependent on social and institutional contexts.