Anna te Drieën 1646 - 1658

Jeremias Falck created this engraving titled “Anna te Drieën,” or “Anna in Threes,” sometime in the 17th century. It depicts Saint Anne with her daughter, the Virgin Mary, who in turn holds the infant Jesus. This image is part of a long tradition, going back to the medieval era, of depicting familial relations in religious contexts. The figures are placed in a domestic interior, which suggests a humanist perspective. Consider what this image might have meant in the context of 17th century Europe. The Protestant Reformation had challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, questioning certain religious iconography. Yet images like this one offered a powerful reaffirmation of traditional values, placing women and family at the center of religious life. To fully understand this print, we can examine the role of religious imagery during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. We can also research the printmaking industry of the time, and how artists like Falck participated in these religious and cultural debates.