The Illustrated History of the New Testament

A woodcut illustration shows the birth of the Virgin Mary. In the background, Saint Anne lies in a draped, canopied bed. A woman attends to her, bringing a bowl of food. In the foreground, another woman sits on a low seat. She holds the infant Mary over a large, round wooden bathing tub. To the left, a wooden table is set with a pitcher, a glass, and other utensils. The room features architectural details from the late 15th or early 16th century.

Mary's birth. original German: "Marien geburt"

Birth of Mary, Mary's birth, Saint Anne, Nativity of Mary

Joachim embraces Anne, original Latin: "Ioachim amplectitur Annam"

the mother of Mary. original Latin: "Mariæ matrem"

A woodcut illustration depicts the "Meeting at the Golden Gate." Saint Joachim and Saint Anne are shown in a warm embrace in the center foreground. To the right is the stone architecture of a city gate. In the background on the left, a shepherd with a staff stands among trees. The sky above features stylized clouds.

Joachim embraces Anne, original German: "Joachim vmbfengt Annam"

the mother of Mary. original German: "die mütter Marie"

Joachim and AnneThe parents of the Virgin Mary. According to traditional accounts not found in the canonical Gospels, they were an elderly couple who had long suffered from infertility.

Meeting at the Golden GateThe legendary reunion of Mary's parents at the eastern gate of Jerusalem. After both were visited by an angel promising them a child, they met at the gate to share the news.

The shepherd in the background refers to Joachim's time in the wilderness. He had fled to the countryside in shame after his sacrifice was rejected at the Temple due to his childlessness. In Christian art, this embrace at the gate often represents the moment of the Immaculate Conception.