Saint Joseph holding baby Jesus in his both hands

Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and earthly father of Christ, is the patron of workers, fathers, and a peaceful death. Once a marginal figure in Christian art, devotion to him grew rapidly from the 15th century onward, especially after his promotion by Saint Teresa of Ávila. Depictions of him holding the Christ Child in both hands — protective, tender, slightly bewildered — capture the unique role of a man entrusted with raising the son of God.