St. Anne with the Virgin and the Christ Child 1445 - 1465

This is a small, anonymous painting on paper called "St. Anne with the Virgin and the Christ Child." It would have been made in Europe at some point in the late Middle Ages. The figures are arranged in a vertical stack. The most important, St. Anne, is at the top. Below her is the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. The three figures are haloed, emphasizing their divine status. This reflects the hierarchies that underpinned late Medieval society. Those who were considered closer to God were given greater status in society. This image reflects a world in which religious institutions exerted enormous power. Such an image would likely have been owned by a wealthy person and used as an aid to private devotion. It's survival gives us a glimpse into the religious practices of the late Medieval period. As historians, we must look into the social and institutional context to better understand the purpose and meaning of this work.