Holy Family c. 1640 - 1650

This boxwood sculpture represents the Holy Family, made in the 17th century by Jan van Doorne. We see Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child, united by their linked hands, symbolizing love and familial bonds. The gesture of Mary holding her hand to her chest, a posture of humility and devotion, echoes in countless images across history, from ancient depictions of goddesses to Renaissance Madonnas. This gesture speaks to the enduring human need for solace and protection, embodying a deep-seated emotional connection to the divine mother figure. Note how the child extends his other arm, echoing the pose of the resurrected Christ. This motif resurfaces time and again, reflecting the cyclical nature of hope, resurrection, and renewal. Through the ages, the image of the child reaching out remains a potent symbol, stirring our collective memory and subconscious longing for redemption.