Artwork

The Holy Family with St. Anne and Joachim

The Holy Family with St. Anne and Joachim, by Hans Burgkmair the Elder, 1512
The Holy Family with St. Anne and Joachim, by Hans Burgkmair the Elder, 1512

The Holy Family with St. Anne and Joachim is a print by the Renaissance artist Hans Burgkmair the Elder. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Holy Family with St.

About this work

Overview

The Holy Family with St. Anne and Joachim is a 1512 religious print by Hans Burgkmair, currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

Depicting a sacred family scene, the print shows Mary holding the infant Jesus, accompanied by Joseph, while St. Anne (Mary's mother) and Joachim (Mary's father) kneel in the background, with a young John the Baptist reaching towards Jesus, symbolizing the union of the holy lineage.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink on paper, the print showcases Burgkmair's meticulous detail and sharp linework, efficiently conveying narrative depth within a compact composition, characteristic of Renaissance printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1512, the print's history prior to its current residence at The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed in available information.

Context

This work reflects the Renaissance emphasis on detailed, narrative-driven religious art, connecting to broader themes of the period's spiritual and artistic explorations.

Legacy

While specific influence or widespread recognition of this piece is not highlighted, it contributes to the understanding of 16th-century religious printmaking and Burgkmair's contribution to the Renaissance art movement.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.