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The Holy Family, by Claude Mellan, ink, 1635

The Holy Family

Claude Mellan

1635

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

The Holy Family is a 1635 ink by Claude Mellan, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Claude Mellan
When & what style?
1635 · Baroque
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a quiet moment with three figures in a rocky landscape. A woman sits holding a baby, while another woman leans in close, her hand resting on the child’s shoulder. Their clothes are simple, and the scene feels warm despite the rough surroundings. The artist used tiny lines to build up shadows and light, making the figures look three-dimensional. This method is called cross-hatching. Next, check out how artists used engraving to create detailed prints.

About the artist

More by Claude Mellan

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