Holy Family with St. Anne c. 1617

Jacob Jordaens painted "Holy Family with St. Anne," sometime during the 17th century, a period marked by religious and political tensions in Europe. Here, Jordaens presents us with a domestic scene, a window into the intimate life of the Holy Family. St. Anne, representing the lineage and wisdom of older generations, gazes adoringly at the Christ Child. Joseph holds a birdcage, a symbol that has many meanings. The birdcage could represent the soul, or be a reference to the Annunciation. Mary looks on, embodying both maternal love and a serene acceptance of her divine role. But look closer. Jordaens was a master of depicting the everyday, grounding the divine in the real. In doing so, he humanizes religious figures, inviting viewers to connect with them on a personal level. This wasn't just about religious devotion; it was about seeing ourselves reflected in these iconic figures, bridging the gap between the sacred and the mundane.