Who painted The Holy Family?

The Holy Family was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635-01-01.

Where can I see The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

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

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1635

The Holy Family is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Rembrandt’s composition emphasizes the intimate bond within the Holy Family, with the nursing scene underscoring maternal care and divine incarnation.

The painting depicts the Nursing Madonna, a traditional iconography of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the Christ Child, flanked by Saint Joseph. Rembrandt’s composition emphasizes the intimate bond within the Holy Family, with the nursing scene underscoring maternal care and divine incarnation. The presence of Joseph, though secondary, grounds the scene in earthly piety, aligning with Counter-Reformation devotional imagery that highlighted the humanity of sacred figures.

The work’s iconography reflects the Nursing Madonna type, a motif emphasizing Christ’s human nature through maternal nurturing. The inclusion of Joseph aligns with Northern European traditions that integrated him as a protective patriarch within domestic religious scenes.

Technique & Style

Executed circa 1635, this work is an oil painting on canvas measuring 183.5 by 123.5 cm. The surface bears the artist's signature and a partial date reading "REMBRANDT F. 163(.)". Stylistically classified within the Dutch Golden Age, the composition depicts a religious scene focused on the Nursing Madonna, featuring the Christ Child, a boy, and Mary. The handling of the oil medium creates the formal qualities characteristic of Rembrandt's approach to sacred subjects during this period.

History & Provenance

The Holy Family was created by Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn around 1635. The work is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 183.5 cm in height and 123 cm in width. It bears the artist's signature and a partial date reading "REMBRANDT F. 163(.)", which aligns with the established creation year of 1635.

The painting is currently held in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, as part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

Rembrandt's 1635 oil painting The Holy Family is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work is permanently housed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The canvas, which measures 183.5 by 123.5 cm, bears a signature and date reading "REMBRANDT F. 163(.)".

While the piece is a notable holding of this German museum, the available records do not list specific temporary exhibitions or loan history for this particular work.

Overview

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's 1635 oil painting, The Holy Family, depicts a tender domestic scene featuring Mary nursing the Christ Child, with Joseph observing. This work exemplifies the artist's engagement with religious themes during the Dutch Golden Age, showcasing his characteristic warmth and intimate portrayal of figures. It is currently housed in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek.

Context

Created in 1635, The Holy Family belongs to a productive period in Rembrandt's career. During this time, the artist, a leading figure of the Dutch Golden Age, explored a wide array of subjects across paintings, etchings, and drawings. This work contributes to his established reputation as a significant artist in Western art history, reflecting his ongoing exploration of human emotion and spiritual narratives.