Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth c. late 17th century

Giuseppe Diamantini etched this plate depicting the Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth. The figures are arranged to convey familial love, emphasized by the presence of the Christ child and a young John the Baptist. Note John's embrace of the lamb. This motif—the lamb as a symbol of innocence and sacrifice—reverberates through centuries. We see it echoed in early Christian art, where Christ himself is portrayed as the sacrificial lamb, a symbol of his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It is a visual echo of the Agnus Dei. Consider how the tenderness of the figures stirs deep emotional responses. Such images tap into collective memories and shared human experiences of love, protection, and sacrifice. The lamb, held by a child, becomes a poignant emblem of vulnerability, evoking powerful emotions across time and cultures.