Heilige familie en een engel 1608

Jacob Matham created this small engraving, “Holy Family with an Angel,” now in the Rijksmuseum, sometime between 1571 and 1631. Immediately, one notices the composition: an oval scene contained within a diamond. The figures of Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, and an angel are rendered with delicate, closely-worked lines, creating soft shadows and a sense of intimacy. The composition is structured around gentle curves and counter curves that encourage the eye to move around the image. The artist uses contrasting textures, from the smooth skin of the figures to the rough fabric, to create a rich, tactile experience. Matham's technique captures a moment of quiet tenderness. The arrangement of the figures—the way they're grouped together—creates a cohesive whole, with the lines and shapes working together to convey a sense of harmony and grace. This print invites us to consider how form and composition contribute to the overall emotional and spiritual impact of the artwork.