Yesterday, March 19 was the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. Here are a few bits of eye candy. They are from the Art Institute of Chicago (first, second, fourth) or from the National Gallery of Art in DC (third). All are in the public domain.

Saint Joseph. Undetermined date and questionable artist. Possibly after Tommaso Conca
Italian, before 1770-1815 But lovely picture.

Saint Joachim is Mary’s father. Was the artist portraying Joseph asking for her hand in marriage? Or was this simply the two men enjoying each other’s company? Saint Joseph is on the left with the hat and staff. Strixner, the artist, did other drawings of saints in modern (1800’s Germany) settings.

St. Joseph; St. Joachim; St. Benedict, Abbot; St. Catharine of Sweden. c. 1632/1635
Jacques Callot, Artist, French, 1592 – 1635. The NGA has several of these drawings with four saints on each one. Saint Joseph is the upper left picture and Saint Joachim, Saint Anna and their child, Blessed Mother Mary, is on the right.

The Dream of Saint Joseph. 1635/37. Artist: Pietro Testa,
 Italian,

This picture is quite mysterious to me. Saint Joseph dreamed that Herod was going to kill the baby Jesus so he had to flee to Egypt. Then he was told that Herod was dead and the Holy Family could return to Nazareth. I think this picture is great but I don’t know how it relates to either of those dreams.

I was sick Tuesday, which I did not quite realize, and I still have a cold today. Have a great weekend. Buy my book about sheep if you want to read about a great guy who took care of those he loved. https://a.co/d/0fnz1aWW