Maria met kind, Jozef, de heilige Anna en twee mannelijke heiligen 1668 - 1671

Curator: Jan de Bisschop created this piece, "Maria met kind, Jozef, de heilige Anna en twee mannelijke heiligen," sometime between 1668 and 1671. Executed with ink, it exemplifies drawing and engraving techniques typical of the Baroque period, now residing here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Right off, what strikes me is the energy despite the classical theme. Look at the baby, he's not a serene cherub, but a wriggling, demanding little being, pulling at Mary. Curator: Indeed. The depiction of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus alongside Joseph, Saint Anne, and two male saints offers a fascinating lens through which to examine the patriarchal structures of the time and the ways in which female figures were often idealized yet simultaneously confined. The artwork invites considerations of the socio-political constructs shaping religious narratives. Editor: I see that tug-of-war you describe; the pious figures gazing down on Mary, this feeling like everyone is gazing down...even though she holds all the cards, doesn't she? The drawing itself is busy but focused, the linework capturing folds of fabric and expressions, but my gaze always comes back to Mary, to the point, it almost feels as if everyone's depending on her to save all of us...talk about pressure. Curator: The intensity in that gaze, given our contemporary understanding, may resonate with concerns around gendered expectations of sacrifice and service, especially for women within family or communal structures. The historical positioning of these figures reveals nuanced aspects of power dynamics reflected in religious iconography and patronage. Editor: It’s strange how a scene so steeped in history and expectation still bubbles with a feeling of 'now'. This constant cycle of looking to higher figures to have someone guide us. It hits something real. Looking at this from the point of someone seeking it, to someone being depended on, the engraving speaks volumes. Thanks for breaking it down, Curator. Curator: A pleasure. It's by viewing art through diverse lenses, from historical contexts to contemporary personal experiences, that we unlock deeper meanings.