Artwork
Holy Family
Holy Family is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Godfried Maes. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1692 by the Antwerp‑based Flemish artist Godfried Maes, this oil painting presents a compact group of three figures in a dimly lit, rocky interior. The work exemplifies the dramatic chiaroscuro typical of late‑Baroque religious scenes, with the central child illuminated against a dark backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows the infant Jesus held by Mary, who kneels and reaches toward the child, while Joseph stands behind them, his hand poised near his face. The intimate gesture emphasizes the familial bond and the theological focus on the Holy Family as a model of devotion.
Technique & Style
Maes employs strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures, allowing the white cloth of the child and the red sash of Mary to stand out against the muted tones of the surrounding rock. The rendering of textures—from the roughness of Joseph’s cloak to the softness of the infant’s garments—reflects the Flemish Baroque attention to detail.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 17th‑century Flemish art.
Context
Godfried Maes was known for altarpieces, allegorical scenes, and designs for tapestries commissioned by elite patrons in the Southern Netherlands. This work aligns with his broader output, combining devotional subject matter with the theatrical lighting favored by his contemporaries.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Godfried Maes (baptised on 15 August 1649 Antwerp – 30 May 1700, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and designer of tapestries.
