Artwork
The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Elizabeth and John the Baptist
The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Elizabeth and John the Baptist is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist is a 1649 oil painting by Nicolas Poussin, housed at the National Gallery of Ireland. The work depicts a serene gathering of the Holy Family and associated saints.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a tranquil scene featuring Mary with the infant Jesus, accompanied by Saint Anne and Saint Elizabeth.
The painting portrays a tranquil scene featuring Mary with the infant Jesus, accompanied by Saint Anne and Saint Elizabeth. Additional figures include a kneeling woman in yellow with a child (likely Saint Elizabeth with John the Baptist) and a woman in white with a child reaching for flowers, interpreted as Saint Anne with the young Jesus or another familial representation. The composition conveys a sense of gentle, introspective family interaction.
Technique & Style
Poussin employs vivid colors for the figures' robes, contrasting with the subdued landscape tones. The artist's characteristic use of light and shadow enhances the serene atmosphere, inviting contemplation.
History & Provenance
Created in 1649, the painting is part of the National Gallery of Ireland's collection. Specific details on its commission or earlier ownership are not provided in the available information.
Context
Painted during the Baroque period, this work reflects Poussin's unique blend of classical influences and religious themes, common in 17th-century European art.
Legacy
While specific influences or notable exhibitions of this piece are not detailed, it contributes to Poussin's reputation for nuanced, emotionally restrained religious paintings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas Poussin (UK: US: French:; June 1594 – 19 November 1665) was a leading painter of the classical French Baroque style, although he spent most of his working life in Rome.
