Hendrick van Balen (c. 1573-1632)

Mary is seated within a landscape positioned in front of a tree, holding the infant Jesus on her lap. She leans towards the kneeling figure of the young John, who extends his hand towards Jesus The infant Jesus, while supported by Mary, also reaches out towards John. St. Joseph observes the scene from the right This meeting of Jesus and John as children foreshadows their future encounter at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. A basket overflowing with roses rests on the ground, with a backdrop revealing a clearing within a forest.Oil on wood, 105 × 73.5 cm