18 Saint Joseph Holding the Christ Child

late 20th-early 21st century, Spanish colonial style, Artist Unknown
Description: Letter “S” enverso, Size: 17 7/8” x 11”

This icon depicts St. Joseph holding the Christ child. St. Joseph holds a staff which has sprouted flowers at the top of the staff. This goes back to the legend which tells the story of St. Joseph being chosen to be betrothed to the Virgen Mary. It was told that the sign that would reveal the man Mary was to be betrothed to was that a dove would fly out of the staff. All of the men who were eligible to be betrothed to Mary brought their staffs to the high priest. The rods were placed in the Holy of Holies and the next day the High Priest brought out each rod. Joseph’s rod was brought out last and when he grabbed his rod a dove flew out of his staff showing that he was God’s choice for Mary. In later versions of the story the dove is accompanied by the staff blooming with flowers, usually lilies. This icon depicts the staff blooming with red flowers, possibly meant to be roses. Joseph holds the Christ Child in his right arms. In the icon Joseph is depicted as wearing a crown. There are two explanations for the crown. The first is that the crown represents Joseph’s descent in the lineage of King David. In icons from Mexico and Central American it can also represent that in the 16th Century St. Joseph was the patron saint of the viceroyalty of New Spain.