The Virgin and Child with the Cat and the Snake (I/IV)Previously known as 'The Virgin and Child with the Cat, Joseph at the Window'

Rembrandt has portrayed Mary and Jesus in a domestic environment wearing contemporary Dutch clothing, completely self-absorbed and self-contained. Joseph is placed outside the room looking in, physically and psychologically separate from the mother-and-child unit. Unusually, the light from the window backlights the main protagonists, who are almost silhouetted against it with their faces in shadow.

In this print Mary is shown stepping on a snake. This is a common motif in Catholic iconography, with Mary seen as a second Eve who would conquer original sin. The throne to the left of the scene alludes to Mary's role as 'Queen of Heaven', but Rembrandt shows her sitting on the floor, reminding viewers that Jesus - rather than material riches - was the greatest treasure. On the left of the etching a cat is seen playing with the hem of Mary's robe. Tradition has it that in the stable at Bethlehem a cat jumped into Jesus' crib while he was crying, soothing him with its warmth.