The Holy Family with three hares Durer Engravings (1471-1528)

Here we observe a composition centered around a familial grouping set within a landscape. A woman, draped in flowing robes, sits with a small child nestled in her lap. Beside her stands a man, also clad in religious attire, his gaze directed towards the infant. The figures are arranged against a backdrop of stylized foliage and architectural elements suggesting a rural setting. Above them, two winged figures hold aloft an elaborate crown or halo.
The most striking feature is undoubtedly the presence of three hares that populate the foreground. These animals appear almost as if they have sprung from the earth, their forms rendered with meticulous detail. They are not integrated into the narrative in a conventional manner; instead, they seem to exist independently within the scene, creating an element of visual anomaly.
The artist’s use of line is significant. The dense hatching and cross-hatching create areas of deep shadow and highlight, contributing to a sense of volume and texture. This technique also serves to define the figures and their surroundings with precision, while simultaneously imparting a certain austerity to the overall aesthetic. The landscape itself is rendered in a manner that emphasizes its artificiality; the trees are highly stylized, and the buildings appear almost schematic.
The subtexts within this work are complex and open to interpretation. The hares, appearing without clear symbolic connection to the central figures, invite speculation. They could represent fertility or abundance, given their association with reproduction. Alternatively, they might be interpreted as a visual puzzle, an intentional ambiguity designed to challenge conventional religious iconography. Their presence disrupts the expected narrative flow, prompting viewers to question the underlying meaning of the scene.
The crown held by the winged figures suggests divine authority and blessing, but its placement above the familial group does not necessarily imply direct intervention or protection. It could be seen as a distant promise rather than an immediate reality. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, imbued with a sense of mystery and understated spirituality.