Representations of Saint Joseph in paintings, for example in depictions of the holy family and the Nativity story, are extraordinarily varied. Often shown as a marginal or even comical figure, he hovers in doorways, grey-haired and frail, or apparently nods off beside the Christ Child’s manger.

Elsewhere he appears as a youthful husband to the Virgin Mary, promoted as the model head of a family and devoted protector, guide and teacher. This course, led by lecturer Clare Coope, will look at these and other ways in which artists have portrayed the ‘foster-father of Jesus’, and discuss the shifting interpretations of Joseph’s role.

Image above: Detail from Philippe de Champaigne, The Dream of Saint Joseph