Heilige Familie met Johannes en Elisabeth 1753 - 1757

Pierre Etienne Moitte created this print, *Heilige Familie met Johannes en Elisabeth*, sometime in the 1700s, after an original artwork by Francesco Vanni. It reflects the religious art typical of the period, while also subtly engaging with contemporary social dynamics. The depiction of the Holy Family, including John the Baptist's mother Elisabeth, is set within a natural landscape, a setting that emphasizes their humanity. Note how Joseph, often a background figure, is rendered with a weary but dignified presence. The figures' arrangement subtly challenges the rigid hierarchies of the time. Mary's nurturing gaze towards John the Baptist equalizes her relationship to both children, moving away from traditional representations of maternal authority. While Moitte adheres to the religious subject matter favored by the art market, there's a tenderness in his portrayal of familial bonds, suggesting a quiet nod to the changing values of the Enlightenment era. It's a work that invites us to reflect on the intersections of faith, family, and the silent revolutions within the domestic sphere.