Virgin and Child with Saint Anne

This sweetly disarming work represents three generations of the extended family of Jesus. The Virgin’s mother, Saint Anne, cradles both her daughter and grandson, Jesus, in her arms. The medieval cult of Saint Anne celebrated her role as Mary’s virtuous, nurturing forbearer, and works like this one honor her as the matronly guardian of the entire Holy Family. Such warmly familial images reflect a new emphasis on the human nature of Christ and his saintly relatives.

55.50.11