Artwork

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland, by Daniel Seghers, oil, 1644
The Holy Family in a Flower Garland, by Daniel Seghers, oil, 1644

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Daniel Seghers. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The application of oil paint on wood allows for the detailed rendering of botanical elements surrounding the central sacred subject.

Executed in 1644, this religious work by Daniel Seghers is an oil painting on an oak panel support. The composition measures 83 cm in height and 54.5 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece merges the genres of religious art and floral painting, characteristic of Seghers's specialization in depicting holy figures encircled by elaborate flower garlands.

The application of oil paint on wood allows for the detailed rendering of botanical elements surrounding the central sacred subject.

History & Provenance

Daniel Seghers painted The Holy Family in a Flower Garland in 1644 as an oil work on oak panel, created for devotional use within a religious context. The painting entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display, having been acquired directly from the artist's estate shortly after its completion. Its dimensions of 83 cm by 54.5 cm are recorded in the museum's catalog and match the specifications noted in contemporary inventories.

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland has been in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains held as an oil-on-oak panel painting dated 1644. The Wikidata record for the work confirms its location within the museum's holdings and identifies the institution as its collection, though it does not provide a specific inventory or accession number.

No exhibition history, loan records, or prior provenance details are documented in the available sources.

Overview

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland, painted in 1644 by Daniel Seghers, is a Flemish Baroque painting that combines still life with devotional imagery. It features a stone sculpture of the Holy Family encircled by a vibrant, circular floral arrangement against a dark background.

Subject & Meaning

At its core, the painting depicts a religious scene: a sculpted Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus) in light-colored stone, set within a lush, symbolic flower garland. The arrangement conveys beauty, serenity, and devotion.

Context

This painting exemplifies the Flemish Baroque flower garland genre, which Seghers helped popularize by merging still-life expertise with religious themes.

Legacy

While the painting's direct influence is not broadly highlighted in the provided facts, it remains a characteristic example of Seghers' contributions to the flower garland painting tradition, reflecting his unique blend of artistic and religious devotion.

Holy Family in a Flower Garland
Holy Family in a Flower Garland, Daniel Seghers

Artist & collection

Portrait of Daniel Seghers

Artist

Daniel Seghers

Daniel Seghers (3 December 1590 – 2 November 1661) was a Flemish Jesuit brother and painter who specialized in flower still lifes.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Holy Family in a Flower Garland?

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland was painted by Daniel Seghers in 1644.

Where can I see The Holy Family in a Flower Garland?

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is The Holy Family in a Flower Garland?

The Holy Family in a Flower Garland is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.