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RELIGION: The holy family

Ambrosius Benson, Rest on the flight into Egypt

The Holy Family is a mirror for the bourgeoise ideals of the family and were presented by the church as the model to be followed. Not in the least because the family is a stablising factor of economy and industry.

Presentations of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus within the church patrimony are too numerous to count. A theme that knew a great deal of support was the meeting of the little Jesus with his cousin, John the Baptist on the knees of their mothers, Mary and Elisabeth. Since the 14th Century, the flight to Egypt with Jesus as an infant is also often portrayed.

Lieve Loos