Artwork
The holy family with Saint John in a landscape
The holy family with Saint John in a landscape is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Balthasar Beschey. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1738 by Flemish artist Balthasar Beschey, this copper painting presents a modestly rendered holy family scene set within a natural landscape.
Created in 1738 by Flemish artist Balthasar Beschey, this copper painting presents a modestly rendered holy family scene set within a natural landscape. The composition places the Virgin Mary, the infant Christ, Saint Joseph, and the young Saint John together under a canopy of trees, while two cherubic figures hover above and a small dog lies at their feet. The work reflects the decorative yet intimate character of the Rococo period.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures—Mary holding the infant Jesus, Joseph with a book, and the youthful Saint John—are arranged in a tranquil outdoor setting that emphasizes familial intimacy rather than overt theological drama. The inclusion of cherubs and the domestic dog adds a gentle, almost pastoral symbolism, suggesting protection and loyalty within the sacred narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing Beschey to render fine details and a luminous finish. A subtle chiaroscuro model illuminates the faces and garments, contrasting sharply with the darker forest background and a distant river, thereby creating depth and focusing attention on the central group.
History & Provenance
Balthasar Beschey, active in Antwerp, was known for early landscape works before turning to history and portrait painting. He also served as a teacher and administrator at the Antwerp Academy of Arts. This 1738 work exemplifies his versatility across genres and reflects his involvement in the artistic circles of early‑18th‑century Flanders.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar Beschey (1708, Antwerp – 1776, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and decorative painter of interiors.
