On May 1st the Catholic Church celebrates St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of all workers. Joseph was a popular subject to paint during the Counter-Reformation as he truly represents spirituality in everyday life.

“St. Joseph the Carpenter” (c1642) by Georges de la Tour shows a young Jesus holding a candle with Joseph works. We can see Joseph looking up from his work, perhaps pausing to answer a question. This painting is much more naturalistic than other la Tours such as St. Sebastian and Adoration of the Shepherds.