Saint John Adoring the Infant Jesus c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous piece titled "Saint John Adoring the Infant Jesus," housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It has a very devotional feeling, don’t you think? What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Well, consider the proliferation of such imagery. How did depictions of the Holy Family reinforce specific social ideals or power structures within religious institutions and broader society at the time? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't thought about the public role of such a personal scene. Curator: Exactly. Images like these weren't just about faith; they were active participants in shaping cultural values. Editor: I guess there's more to religious art than just religion. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to consider the image's influence beyond the purely devotional.