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By Enrico Reffo, Italy, 1800s
I have corrected a double posting of an image in the previous post: St. Joseph and the Infant Christ. The correct image for "St. Joseph and Child" by Enrico Reffo is now up in the original post, and above too. Other than Brother Simeon's painting of Joseph, the Joseph in Reffo's appears the oldest. But, perhaps that is true to the reality. Joseph was a quite likely a mature man when he married Mary, who was half his age. Perhaps that is where his gentleness came from, entrusted as he was with a baby in his mature years. But, I don't think God would have given Jesus a harsh father. Joseph's gentleness is part of the beautiful design.