Artwork

De Heilige Familie met twee engelen

De Heilige Familie met twee engelen, by Unknown, oil, 1524
De Heilige Familie met twee engelen, by Unknown, oil, 1524

De Heilige Familie met twee engelen is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

About this work

Overview

De Heilige Familie met twee engelen is an oil painting portraying an intimate scene of maternal care. The composition centers on a mother nursing her infant, surrounded by symbolic figures and a serene landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a tender moment of a mother breastfeeding, conveying maternal love. Figures include the mother (in blue), a bearded man (in red, holding a golden apple), and an angel (in green, crowning the mother with red flowers), suggesting a sacred context.

Technique & Style

The work features oil paint on a panel, with detailed rendering of textures (e.g., the patterned rug, robes) and a harmonious color palette that contributes to the overall warmth and intimacy of the scene.

Context

The serene landscape background with rolling hills and a blue sky provides a peaceful setting, contrasting with the central, emotionally charged scene of mother and child.

Legacy

While specific impact or notable exhibitions are not detailed, the painting's themes of maternal devotion and sacred symbolism place it within traditional European devotional art themes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known