Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist kissing the infant Christ's hand 1637 - 1647

Simone Cantarini created this delicate etching, "Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist kissing the infant Christ's hand," sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Cantarini lived in a time and place– Italy– where the image of the Madonna and child was incredibly popular. However, here the artist introduces Saint John into the mix. The two infants create a dynamic of friendship, humility, and possibly even prophecy, as Saint John's kiss can be seen as an acknowledgement of Christ's divinity and destiny. There’s a humanity to the way Mary is portrayed here, as a mother holding her child, while Joseph looks on. By focusing on the intimacy between the figures, Cantarini humanizes the Holy Family, inviting viewers to connect with them on a personal level. The image subtly emphasizes relationality, and, perhaps, the importance of male bonds in the making of a man, even a divine one.