Heilige Familie met de jonge Johannes de Doper 1642 - 1657

This is an etching of the Holy Family with the young John the Baptist by Bartolomeo Biscaino, an Italian artist from the 17th century. Dominating this tender family scene, the lamb becomes a powerful symbol of sacrifice and innocence, deeply rooted in Christian iconography. The lamb, often associated with John the Baptist, connects to the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, foreshadowing Christ's sacrificial destiny. This motif transcends time, echoing in ancient pagan rituals where lambs were offered to the gods, linking to deeper archetypes of atonement and renewal. Think of the powerful psychological weight it carries: the pure, unblemished animal offered for the sins of humanity. Note the cyclical nature of symbols: death and rebirth, sacrifice and redemption. This image is not merely a depiction, it is a resurgence, a reinterpretation of ancient themes resonating across centuries.