Artwork

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria, by Jusepe de Ribera, oil, 1648
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria, by Jusepe de Ribera, oil, 1648

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Jusepe de Ribera painted the Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria in 1648, gathering the Holy Family with the two saints in a single group. The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired it in 1934 from the Earl of Harewood.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays the Holy Family, Mary, the Christ Child, and Joseph, joined by Saint Anne, mother of Mary, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin martyr. As a religious work, the grouping underscores themes of holy kinship, maternal intercession, and saintly virtue, presenting an extended sacred lineage that invites contemplation of familial devotion and the exemplars of faith embodied by the two saints.

Technique & Style
The painting, dated 1648, is an oil on canvas work that portrays the Holy Family accompanied by Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria.

The painting, dated 1648, is an oil on canvas work that portrays the Holy Family accompanied by Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria. The composition centers the familial group while the saints occupy supporting positions, creating a balanced arrangement typical of religious subjects of the period. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the piece reflects Ribera’s use of the medium for rich color and textural depth.

The sources do not provide details on handling, current condition, or specific formal stylistic analysis beyond the depicted figures.

History & Provenance

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria was painted in 1648 by Jusepe de Ribera. According to the sources, the work entered the collection of Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook, after its creation. It subsequently passed into the possession of the Earl of Harewood, from whom the Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired the painting in 1934.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art now holds the work in its collection. The sources do not record any specific commission or patron for the piece.

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The museum acquired the 1648 oil painting in 1934 from the Earl of Harewood. Prior to this transfer, the work was owned by Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook.

The painting has been featured in popular culture, appearing in the television series The Sopranos during the episode titled "Amor Fou." While specific accession numbers are not provided in the available records, the work remains a permanent part of the museum's collection of religious art.

Legacy

The 1648 canvas by Jusepe de Ribera entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1934 after being sold by the 1st Earl of Northbrook, a fact recorded in the museum’s provenance. Its inclusion in the Met’s collection has kept the work visible to scholars and the public, contributing to its standing as a representative example of Spanish Baroque religious painting. The painting’s cultural reach was further amplified when it appeared in the television series The Sopranos, episode “Amor Fou,” demonstrating its lasting resonance beyond the museum.

These milestones illustrate how the artwork’s legacy has been shaped by both institutional stewardship and popular media exposure.

Overview

Jusepe de Ribera's painting, The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria, was completed in 1648 using oil on canvas. This work depicts the central figures of Christian devotionMary, Joseph, and the Christ Childaccompanied by two significant saints. It represents a key example of Ribera's mature style, combining devotional subject matter with his characteristic naturalism and dramatic lighting. The artwork is presently part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Virgin and Child with Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Virgin and Child with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Anthony van Dyck

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jusepe de Ribera

Artist

Jusepe de Ribera

Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian:; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria?

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria was painted by Jusepe de Ribera in 1648-01-01.

Where can I see The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria?

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria?

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria is associated with Spanish Baroque Tenebrist.

Can I buy a print of The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria?

Museum-quality prints of The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.