Description

A messenger of God appeared to the thoughtful St. Joseph to explain to him the mystery of Mary's maternity. The carpenter is depicted as ready to go - his cane near his legs, his hat at his feet and in the background there is a donkey ready to go. Above the carpenter, there is an angel who points towards heaven with a gesture of his hand indicating that God has decided to choose St. Joseph as the Saviour's guardian. Joseph, on the other hand, seems to be defending himself with one hand, pointing to his hat and travelling bags with the other, trying to explain his actions. The angel's and St. Joseph's eyes meet and the gesticulation gives the impression that the heavenly messenger is in control of the Saint's reactions, explaining the situation. St. Joseph is shown as a character who is afraid to accept his mission, but whose role in the history of salvation seems to be definite.