The Holy Family with Saint Anne and Saint Joachim 1512

Hans Burgkmair created this woodcut, The Holy Family with Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, in Augsburg, Germany, during the early 16th century. The work depicts Mary and Joseph with Jesus, alongside Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim. Above them, cherubic faces fill the sky, with the Holy Spirit as a dove radiating divine light. The image presents a specific vision of family and piety, one which was very much in line with the religious and social norms of the time. During the Reformation, artists like Burgkmair produced imagery that reinforced traditional Catholic values and beliefs. Woodcuts were relatively inexpensive and mass produced, so this image would have been accessible to a broad audience, further reinforcing its social influence. Understanding this work requires us to consider not only its artistic qualities but also the religious, social, and economic context in which it was created. Historians consult church records, social histories, and economic data to gain insight into the complex factors that shaped its creation and reception. By doing so, we can better understand the dynamic interplay between art and society.