Who painted The Holy Family?

The Holy Family was painted by Pierre Brebiette in 1630.

Where can I see The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Holy Family

Pierre Brebiette , 1630

The Holy Family is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pierre Brebiette. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Pierre Brebiette’s etching, titled The Holy Family, dates to around 1630 and is executed on laid paper. The work presents a small, intimate group set against a rugged terrain, rendered in the monochrome language of printmaking. As a religious image, it reflects the devotional practices of early‑17th‑century Europe while showcasing the artist’s command of line and composition.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a mother seated in a loosely draped robe, cradling an infant on her lap. Flanking her are two bare‑chested boys, one reaching upward and the other gazing curiously, suggesting a narrative of familial tenderness and spiritual contemplation. The rocky backdrop reinforces a sense of humility and the earthly setting of the holy narrative.

Technique & Style

Brebiette employs fine, incisive lines to delineate the texture of stone, fabric, and flesh, creating a tactile contrast between the harsh landscape and the softness of the figures. The careful rendering of hands and faces, along with the dynamic, almost kinetic poses of the children, demonstrates the artist’s skill in conveying movement within the static medium of etching.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1630, The Holy Family belongs to a period when religious prints circulated widely for private devotion and instruction. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Brebiette based on stylistic analysis and comparison with other signed prints from his oeuvre, confirming its place within the early Baroque print tradition.