Incorrectly, according to Pacheco, Cornelis depicted the Virgin Mary surrounded by figures, some of them naked, in which she’s wearing only a tunic and with “much indecency”. Also, neither Saint Anne nor the Virgin uses their diadems, as well as it is not possible to recognise the presence of Saint Joachim.
“Before giving information on how well this sacred history should be painted, we will place before our eyes the mistake that Cornelis made in his print of 1570, in which a poor man is depicted with his back half naked, as many painters make use of this type of paper. He placed three large and two small steps in the temple; the image of Our Lady is carried by Saint Anne with her hand on her back, aged fifteen or sixteen years, her hair stretched down to below her waist, wearing only a tunic and with much indecency and more than bare feet, with no other accompaniment. The priest is at the top, surrounded by some figures, some of them naked; neither Saint Anne nor the Virgin has diadems, to distinguish them from the others, nor is their father Saint Joachim known among those accompanying the priest, although he is necessary for this story.”
“Antes de dar noticia del acierto con que se debe pintar esta sagrada historia, pondremos delante de los ojos el desacierto que usó Cornelio en su estampa del año 1570, donde está un pobre de espaldas desnudo el medio cuerpo, porque deste papel se valen muchos pintores. Puso en el templo tres gradas grandes y dos pequeñas; la imagen de Nuestra Señora la lleva Santa Ana puesta la mano en las espaldas, de edad de quince, o diez y seis años, el cabello tendido hasta más abaxo de la cintura, con solo una túnica y con mucha indecencia y más que los pies descalzos, sin más acompañamiento. El sacerdote esta en lo alto, cercado de algunas figuras, parte dellas desnudas; ni Santa Ana ni la Virgen tienen diademas, para diferenciarse de los demás ni se conoce entre los que acompañan al sacerdote su padre San Joachin, con ser necesario en esta historia.”
Pacheco 1990, 584, n. 53;