Artwork
The Holy Family with John the Baptist as child
The Holy Family with John the Baptist as child is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis de Vos. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis de Vos painted The Holy Family with John the Baptist as child in 1625, employing oil on canvas. The work exemplifies Flemish Baroque sensibilities and is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a domestic interior in which the Virgin Mary cradles the infant Jesus, while a young boy—identified as the future John the Baptist—kneels nearby, gesturing upward. Joseph stands to the left, observing the scene, and a small animal occupies a corner, adding a touch of everyday realism to the sacred narrative.
Technique & Style
De Vos renders the figures with a soft modeling of light and shadow, a hallmark of chiaroscuro, which gives the scene a gentle three‑dimensionality. The palette is restrained, and the brushwork conveys a tender intimacy, especially in the rendering of the children’s faces.
History & Provenance
A native of Antwerp, de Vos was active as a painter, draughtsman, and dealer, often collaborating with Peter Rubens. After its creation, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis de Vos (1584 - 9 May 1651) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and art dealer.
