Who painted The Holy Family with Two Angels?

The Holy Family with Two Angels was painted by Jacques Callot in 1614.

Where can I see The Holy Family with Two Angels?

The Holy Family with Two Angels is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Holy Family with Two Angels?

The Holy Family with Two Angels is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Holy Family with Two Angels?

Museum-quality prints of The Holy Family with Two Angels are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Holy Family with Two Angels

Jacques Callot , 1614

The Holy Family with Two Angels is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1614 etching, titled *The Holy Family with Two Angels*, presents a compact devotional scene on laid paper. The Virgin Mary cradles the infant Jesus while Saint Joseph stands nearby, flanked by two angels holding a palm frond and a stalk of corn. The composition is rendered in fine, delicate lines that convey a quiet, reverent atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The image gathers the central figures of Christian nativity iconography—the Holy Family—augmented by angelic attendants. The palm frond, a traditional symbol of martyrdom, and the corn stalk, evoking earthly sustenance, together suggest a link between the divine and the material world, emphasizing both spiritual triumph and human nourishment.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, Callot employs a network of thin, precise lines to model clothing folds, facial features, and the subtle suggestion of a surrounding space. The laid‑paper substrate adds a faint texture that enhances the intimate tone, while the controlled use of hatching creates depth without resorting to heavy shading.

History & Provenance

Created in 1614, the print belongs to Callot’s prolific output of more than 1,400 etchings that document 17th‑century religious and secular life. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work circulated among collectors of French Baroque prints and appears in several catalogues of Callot’s oeuvre.

Context

Callot, a leading figure in the Duchy of Lorraine’s Baroque printmaking, was renowned for his ability to render complex narratives with clarity. This devotional piece reflects the period’s demand for portable, reproducible images of sacred subjects, serving both private contemplation and the broader dissemination of religious iconography.