The Holy Family with Joachim and Anna under the Tree

Unknown artist

In 1511 Dürer designed the woodcut “The Holy Family with Joachim and Anna under the Tree.” In front of a tree rising up, the blue-crowned Maria and her mother Anna sit opposite each other. The Mother of God handles her mother with a bodyshell, gently stretching out his sleeves. Behind the two women are their husbands and observe the events. While the carnation in Joachim’s hand suggests Christ’s way of suffering, the Rosarium points to the worship of Mary behind his back. According to the “very nice cut [en]” sheet, the collector could list only one copy in his 1827 published Dürer publication. (Cf. Heller Dürer 1827 II.656.1800)