Saint Joseph the Worker

Saint Joseph the Worker (1964), Pietro Annigoni (1910–1988).

This striking painting by Pietro Annigoni illustrates the dignity of the worker and the reasons for Saint Joseph’s patronage of work. Commissioned in 1961 and completed a few years later, it stands out as a modern work in Florence’s Basilica of San Lorenzo, a Renaissance gem of a church. Annigoni vividly presents Saint Joseph at work in his shop with Jesus.

The joy of work and the family

One of the most striking elements is the strong diagonal on the left. It brings our attention from the plank of wood in the foreground to the sky at the top center. There we notice a burst of golden light, radiating up, out, across, and down in the form of a cross. It disappears into the limitless sky above and cascades down into the carpenter’s shop, where Joseph and the young Jesus are standing behind a work table, forming a pleasing pyramidal composition.

Joseph, tall and sturdy, is wearing a deep blue robe, a workman’s apron, and a traditional skull cap. A few grey hairs are visible by his temple and in his beard. A tool or two hang on his belt; others can be seen on and around the table. At this moment he is paying close attention to his foster son Jesus, turning slightly toward him. In delightfully boyish manner, the blond-headed Jesus has climbed up to lean over the top of the table. He is eager to help his father and to learn from him. Joseph holds his hand over the adorable Child’s head in a poignant gesture of both protection and awe. With his serious, concerned, yet gentle expression, he lovingly looks at his son. Another shaft of light from an unseen source seems to encapsulate their close relationship, as the warm light falls across Joseph’s chest and the head and shoulders of Jesus.

The bright red robe of Jesus stands out from the surrounding colors. His face partly in shadow, he bends his head down in concentration. His right hand, placed on the beam, imitates his father’s right hand. In his left hand, he grasps three nails—ordinary items in a carpenter’s shop, here infused with deep meaning. Does the young Jesus already grasp the significance of nails? Does he know that nails will pierce his hands and feet for the salvation of the world? The reddish stain on the plank of wood by his feet seems to foretell spilled blood.

As he looks toward Jesus, Joseph may also be pondering his own work and mission: to protect and provide for this Child conceived through: Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20). His foster son, who is the hidden King of the Universe, looked up to his father and allowed himself to be taught a trade and to become known as the carpenter’s son (Mt 13:55). From Joseph, Jesus learned how to work with wood: how to use a hammer, a saw, and measuring instruments to craft tables, chairs, and cabinets. It is Saint Joseph who gave these human skills to Jesus; Jesus then worked as a carpenter for much of his earthly life (Mk 6:3).

Heart of the matter

In the Letter to the Colossians, in one of the optional readings for the Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker, Saint Paul reminds us: Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others (3:23). Saint Joseph quite literally did everything for the Lord! And he modeled doing it from the heart. Annigoni emphasizes this by making the center of the painting, left to right and top to bottom, Saint Joseph’s heart.

Working from the heart involves keeping the right focus and perspective. The dignity of work does not depend on perfection of form or successful results. Annigoni seems to make just that point by showing the precariousness of the setting: Uncertainty is all around. Strange, blood-red clouds hover overhead; indistinct buildings and bushes appear haphazardly in the background. The ramshackle roof and supporting beams of the workshop barely provide shelter from the elements or from outside danger.

It is in these circumstances that Joseph, close to Jesus, goes on with his daily tasks and responsibilities. He has his eyes on the one thing necessary (Lk 10:42). He does not turn to external things for his confidence or sense of security. He is not overcome by the brokenness and violence of the world. He does what is right with his humble, tender, and valiant heart. His heart is attuned to the presence of the Lord, right there with him in the workshop.

Power of the Presence

It is the presence of the Lord which elevates this scene. As the golden light in the form of a cross fills the space, we affirm that it is the power of the cross in the light of the Resurrection which animates our world. The workaday world is transformed: in the toil, chores, and burdens of our lives, we find fulfilment and even joy when we turn our minds and hearts, like Saint Joseph, to Christ who is with us. Christ, who entered this world, who chose to hide his divine majesty as a tradesman, is the basis of the dignity of all workers.

As the Universal Church honors Saint Joseph under the title Worker on May 1, let us aim to emulate his heart in our own labors of every kind. Let us thank the Lord for the gift of work and offer it all to him.

Jennifer Healy
Has taught art history for Franciscan University and works for the USCCB’s Office for Aid to Central and Eastern Europe.

Saint Joseph the Worker (1964), Pietro Annigoni (1910–1988), Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy. © Photo Scala, Florence, Dist. GP-Rmn / image Scala.