Who painted The Holy Family?

The Holy Family was painted by Andrea del Sarto in 1529-01-01.

Where can I see The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is associated with High Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Holy Family?

Museum-quality prints of The Holy Family are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Holy Family

Andrea del Sarto , 1529

The Holy Family is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Andrea del Sarto. It dates from 1529 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Andrea del Sarto's 1529 oil painting depicts the Holy Family, a central subject in Christian religious art.

Andrea del Sarto's 1529 oil painting depicts the Holy Family, a central subject in Christian religious art. The composition features the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and Saint Joseph as the primary figures. As a representation of the domestic life of Jesus, the work embodies the theological significance of the Incarnation and the sanctity of the family unit within the Catholic tradition.

The inclusion of these three specific individuals adheres to standard iconographic conventions for this theme, emphasizing their roles in salvation history without the addition of extraneous saints or symbolic attributes noted in the available records.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1529, this religious painting by Andrea del Sarto utilizes oil paint applied to a wooden panel support. The work measures 140 cm in height and 112 cm in width. Visually, the composition depicts the Holy Family, featuring the figures of Mary, the Christ Child, and Joseph. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

History & Provenance

Andrea del Sarto created the oil painting The Holy Family in 1529. Executed in oil on panel, the work depicts the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and Saint Joseph, and measures 140 cm in height and 112 cm in width. It is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

While the specific commission details and early ownership chain are not detailed in the provided sources, the work's inception is firmly dated to 1529, and no specific accession number or exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

Andrea del Sarto’s 1529 oil painting titled The Holy Family presents a compact group of three figures rendered in a naturalistic outdoor setting. The work is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display as an example of early‑sixteenth‑century religious art.

Context

Created during the High Renaissance, the work aligns with contemporary trends toward balanced composition and naturalistic representation. Andrea del Sarto, known for his refined draftsmanship, integrates the devotional subject with a calm, humanized portrayal that reflects the period’s theological and artistic concerns.