Domestic SceneThe Protestant notion that the best form of Christian life was marriage and a family helps explain the appeal of Protestantism to middle-class urban men and women, such as those shown in this domestic scene. The engraving, titled “Concordia” (Harmony), includes the biblical inscription of what Jesus called the greatest commandment — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and your neighbor as yourself” (Deuteronomy 6; Matthew 22) — on tablets at the back. The large covered bed at the back was both a standard piece of furniture in urban homes and a symbol of proper marital sexual relations. (Mary Evans Picture Library/The Image Works)> PICTURING THE PASTANALYZING THE IMAGE: What are the different family members doing? What elements of this image suggest that this is a pious Christian family?
CONNECTIONS: How do the various family roles shown here support the Protestant ideal of marriage and family?