16 works, Today, January 1st, is Mary the Blessed Virgin’s day, her story, illustrated #364

Edvard Munch, (1863–1944)
Detail; Madonna, c. 1895
Oil on canvas
Height: 90 cm (35.4 in); Width: 71 cm (27.9 in)
Kunsthalle, Hamburg

Mary’s father Joachim was a wealthy member of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. He and his wife Anne were deeply grieved by their childlessness. Joachim consequently withdrew to the desert, where he fasted and did penance for 40 days. Angels then appeared to both Joachim and Anne to promise them a child…

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06 works, Today, December 27th, is Joseph the Betrothed’s day, his story, illustrated #359

Guido Reni, (1575–1642)
St Joseph with Infant Christ in his Arms, c. 1620s
Oil on canvas
Height: 126 cm (49.6 in); Width: 101 cm (39.7 in)
Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia

The holy and righteous Joseph the Betrothed, also referred to as Joseph of Nazareth, was the foster-father of Jesus Christ. Not much is known of Joseph except that he was “of the House of David” and lived in the town of Nazareth. His date of death is unknown, though he was still living when Jesus was 12 years old…

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