Who painted "The Family of Zebedee?

"The Family of Zebedee was painted by Unknown in 1500.

Where can I see "The Family of Zebedee?

"The Family of Zebedee is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is "The Family of Zebedee?

"The Family of Zebedee is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

"The Family of Zebedee

Unknown , 1500

"The Family of Zebedee is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The oil painting titled “The Family of Zebedee” presents a compact group of four figures arranged closely together.

About this work

Technique & Style

The medium and dimensions are confirmed by the holding institution's data, which classifies the object simply as a painting within the religious genre.

The Family of Zebedee is executed in oil paint on canvas, a support combination consistent with early sixteenth-century northern practice. According to the catalogue record, the work measures 85 cm in height by 51 cm in width, giving it a distinctly vertical, panel-like format suited to its religious subject matter. The medium and dimensions are confirmed by the holding institution's data, which classifies the object simply as a painting within the religious genre.

Stylistically, the work is anonymous and dated to 1500, placing it at the threshold of the Northern Renaissance. No further information on handling, condition, or specific stylistic qualities is documented in the available sources.

History & Provenance

The Family of Zebedee is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. It is recorded in the museum's inventory with accession details corresponding to the Rijksmuseum's holdings of the work. The painting has been part of the museum's exhibition displays, contributing to presentations of Dutch Golden Age religious art.

The work is an oil paint on canvas created circa 1500, measuring 85 cm in height and 51 cm in width. It is classified as a religious painting within the broader category of Dutch Golden Age art.

Context

The painting is recognized as a religious work attributed to the Master of the Brunswick Monograms, dating to 1500 and housed in the Rijksmuseum collection. Its religious genre and use of oil on canvas align with early 16th-century devotional practices, situating it within the broader context of Northern Renaissance art. The attribution to the Master of the Brunswick Monograms connects it to a significant artistic workshop active in the Low Countries during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, reflecting contemporary devotional trends in religious painting.

Overview

The oil painting titled “The Family of Zebedee” presents a compact group of four figures arranged closely together. A woman in a white headscarf and red dress stands to the left, beside a man in a red robe and matching hat who holds an open book. Two small children occupy the foreground, one clutching a scroll.

The scene rests on a patterned gold background and a checkered floor, rendered with soft hues and subtle shading.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a domestic tableau, likely referencing the biblical family of Zebedee, with the adult figures appearing contemplative and the children displaying curiosity. The man’s serious expression as he reads and the woman’s calm demeanor suggest a moment of instruction or reflection, while the child’s scroll, marked “Simeon,” hints at a narrative or symbolic element within the family context.