Saint Anne teaching Our Lady to read
Author: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
Dating: 18th-19th century (?)
Material: Wood
Dimensions (cm): 27,5 x 12,5 x 8,5
Inv. no.: PDdep0009
Saint Anne was married to Saint Joachim. She was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of the Child. Little is known about her life but, according to some historians, Saint Anne was related to the high priest Aaron; while Saint Joachim was from the family of King David.
Legend has it that she married two other times and had a daughter from each of these marriages – Mary Salome and Mary Cleophas (also known as Mary of Clopas). This idea was rejected by the Council of Trent, for ancient scriptures referred to Anne as being too old and sterile.
Despite Saint Anne’s sterility and Saint Joachim’s advanced age, they were blessed with the birth of Mary. According to the Proto-Gospel of James, Saint Joachim went into the desert to pray to God for a child and an angel appeared to him and announced the good news. Shortly after, he returned to Jerusalem and Saint Anne became pregnant.
The cult of Saint Anne is ancient, having become particularly popular in the Middle Ages. In 1378, Pope Urban IV made the cult official and, in 1584, Pope Gregory XIII established July 26 for its celebration. Saint Joachim was celebrated on another date, but Pope Paul VI united both celebrations.
Saint Anne is the patron saint of grandparents, women with difficulty conceiving, widows, sailors, carpenters and miners. Her veneration became popular in the Iberian Peninsula from the 16th century onwards when Fraternities widespread.
