Artwork
The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist in a Landscape
The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist in a Landscape is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Denys Calvaert. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist in a Landscape is a copper painting by Denys Calvaert, dated to 1598, currently housed at the Scottish National Gallery.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Holy Family in a natural setting, with the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus alongside the Infant Saint John the Baptist, who grasps a cross, symbolizing his future role. The scene integrates religious figures within a broader, lively landscape.
Technique & Style
Characterized by meticulous detail, intricate textures, and vibrant color, the work exhibits a realistic style. The composition balances the central religious figures with peripheral activity, including secondary human and animal subjects.
History & Provenance
Created in 1598 by Flemish artist Denys Calvaert, the painting's ownership history is not detailed here, but it is currently part of the collection at the Scottish National Gallery.
Context
Set against a backdrop of a river and a distant city, the landscape elements contextualize the sacred scene within a recognizable, everyday world, blending the divine with the mundane.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Denis Calvaert was an Antwerp-born Flemish painter who spent most of his life in Italy, where he was known as Dionisio Fiammingo or simply Il Fiammingo.
Adoration of the Shepherds
The Flight into Egypt
The Rest on The Flight into Egypt
Madonna of Saint Jerome
Adoration of the Shepherds
The Holy Family under the Apple Tree
Anbetung der Hirten
The Rest on The Flight into Egypt
The Rest on The Flight into Egypt
The Rest on The Flight into Egypt
The Virgin and Child adored by Saint Louis, King of France
Anbetung der Hirten