The education of the Virgin, with Saint Anne seated on a bench looking upwards and putting her arm around the Virgin 1640 - 1678

This etching, created between 1640 and 1678 by Dutch artist Cornelis van Caukercken, depicts the biblical figures of Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary. Saint Anne, seated on a bench, is shown with a compassionate expression as she embraces the Virgin Mary. The composition emphasizes the loving bond between mother and daughter. Van Caukercken's skillful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and realism. The detailed rendering of the figures' clothing and drapery adds to the overall impact of the artwork. This piece is a fine example of Baroque art, a style characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow and emotional intensity. The etching is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.