The Life of Christ- Engraving from the Evangelicae Historiae Imagines by Hieronymus Natalis 1593 Plate cxlix (2)

This is an engraving titled In Die Visitationis ("On the Day of the Visitation"), which is an illustration from the 1595 devotional text Annotations and Meditations on the Gospels by Jesuit priest Jerome Nadal. The detailed Latin text below the image describes different stages of the biblical story of the Visitation, from Mary's departure from Nazareth to the birth of John the Baptist. 
The main scene depicts the meeting of the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist). 
The smaller, circular insets and the text describe related events, such as the Annunciation and the journey to Elizabeth's home. 
The engraving was made by one of the Wierix brothers, based on drawings by Bernardo Passari or Maarten de Vos. 
These images were intended to prompt meditation on the life of Christ through scripture and commentary plate comes from the Evangelicae Historiae Imagines (Images of Gospel History) is a renowned Renaissance collection of 153 engravings Illustrating the life of Christ, originally published in 1593. The full title further specifies that the images follow the sequence of the Gospel readings used during Mass throughout the liturgical year. 

Translation
A. Nazareth, where the Annunciation is represented, after which the Virgin Mother decided to visit Elizabeth.
B. Mary hastens with Joseph on the journey to the hill country of Judea.
C. The house of Zacharias in the tribe of Judah in the mountains.
D. To which, when Mary arrived, she hurried to Elizabeth.
E. The zealous old woman meets her, but Mary greets her first nonetheless.
F. The Mother of God's greeting having been heard, behold, the Son leaps in Elizabeth's womb, the Mother is filled with the Holy Spirit, she preaches divine praises to Mary.
G. Zacharias and Joseph praise God.
H. John is born.
I. After his birth, the Virgin Mother Mary returns to Nazareth with Joseph.About the Evangelicae Historiae Imagines

This famous print series of the Life of Christ was considered a highly important work for Jesuit missionaries. It was commissioned by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order, and it was overseen by Nadal, though both died before its completion. This pioneering series of engravings was created to help Jesuit novices with meditation on the Gospels as part of their spiritual exercises. 

 The engravings, showing the life, death and resurrection of Christ, were made by some of the best Flemish engravers, including the Wierix brothers at Antwerp, Jan II and Adriaen Collaert, Charles de Mallery, after drawings by the Italian painter Bernardo Passari and a few after Maarten de Vos. The book became an important source for Spanish Colonial Art. 

Christopher W. Charles purchased these engravings from a Sotheby’s auction over 30 years ago. They are in near perfect condition and are now being released from his 75-year collection. 

Published in Antwerp in 1593

Language: Latin