Artwork
Holy Family with an Angel
Holy Family with an Angel is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1696, *Holy Family with an Angel* is an oil painting by the Dutch artist Godfried Schalcken. Executed during the later phase of the Flemish Baroque period, the work is part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. It presents a domestic tableau of the Virgin, infant Christ, Joseph, and a celestial messenger, rendered with the refined finish typical of Schalcken’s oeuvre.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a nurturing mother, identified as Mary, who is shown breastfeeding the infant Jesus, while Joseph observes with a calm demeanor. An angel appears in the background, its presence suggesting divine endorsement of the family’s intimacy. The scene blends everyday tenderness with sacred symbolism, emphasizing the humanity of the Holy Family within a spiritual framework.
Technique & Style
Schalcken employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing a soft light from the left to model the figures and create a sense of three‑dimensionality.
Schalcken employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing a soft light from the left to model the figures and create a sense of three‑dimensionality. Warm hues of golden brown and muted red dominate the palette, enhancing the cozy atmosphere. The meticulous brushwork and smooth surface reflect the influence of the Leiden fijnschilders, whose attention to detail and polished finish are evident throughout the painting.
History & Provenance
After its completion in the late seventeenth century, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Schalcken has been consistently affirmed by scholars, linking the work to his broader output of genre scenes and portraiture that often explored intimate, candlelit interiors.
Artist & collection
Artist
Godfried Schalcken (8 October 1643 – 16 November 1706) was a Dutch artist who specialized in genre paintings and portraits.
