Artwork
The Holy Family
The Holy Family is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Dürer’s 1512 drypoint print titled *The Holy Family* presents a compact group portrait of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ, accompanied by Joseph and two additional figures. Rendered on laid paper, the composition is illuminated by a gentle, diffused light that unifies the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The central focus is Mary, dressed in a blue mantle, cradling the Christ Child, while Joseph stands behind her with John the Baptist and a third figure flanking the group. The arrangement reflects traditional devotional iconography, emphasizing the familial bond and the prophetic presence of John.
Technique & Style
Dürer employed the drypoint method, incising lines directly into a copper plate. The resulting burrs retain ink, producing soft, velvety strokes that give the image a lace‑like texture. The delicate rendering of light and shadow showcases Dürer’s mastery of line work within the print medium.
History & Provenance
Created in the early sixteenth century, the print belongs to Dürer’s series of religious works produced during his mature period. It remains documented in several European collections, illustrating the artist’s continued engagement with devotional subjects at the height of his career.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
