Artwork
Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist as a Child
Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist as a Child is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis Schut. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Schut’s 1626 oil painting, Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist as a Child, presents a domestic tableau of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the infant Jesus, and a young John the Baptist. Set against a deep, muted backdrop, the figures are illuminated in a manner that emphasizes their tender interaction and the symbolic presence of a lamb.
Subject & Meaning
The composition foregrounds the Christ Child cradled by Mary while Joseph watches protectively. A youthful John, identifiable by his short tunic, engages with a white lamb—a traditional emblem of Christ’s sacrifice—linking the infant’s innocence to future theological significance.
Technique & Style
Schut employs the dramatic chiaroscuro typical of Flemish Baroque, using strong contrasts to model the figures and give them a three‑dimensional presence. The brushwork is refined yet vigorous, reflecting the influence of his master Peter Rubens and the broader Counter‑Reformation emphasis on clear, emotive religious imagery.
History & Provenance
After a formative period in Italy, Schut returned to Antwerp, where he became a prominent history painter. The work entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.
Context
Created during the first half of the 17th century, the painting aligns with the Counter‑Reformation’s call for accessible, devotional art. Its intimate family scene mirrors contemporary Flemish trends that combined devotional purpose with domestic realism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Schut (13 May 1597 – 29 April 1655) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman, engraver and tapestry designer who specialized in religious and mythological scenes.
