The Holy Family with Sts Anne and Joachim (detail)
by PESQUERA, Diego de, Painted and gilt wood
The relief shows two couples, the men standing behind their seated wives - Mary and Joseph to the left and Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim, to the right. Their glances and gestures join at the Christ Child, sprawled across Mary’s lap. The circle of hands - from Joachim’s to Christ’s to Mary’s, and back to Anne’s - connect these figures while focusing the viewer’s attention on the Child.