Artwork
The Holy Family with a Lamb
The Holy Family with a Lamb is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1501 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work depicts a small domestic scene centered on a woman in a dark garment holding an infant, who reaches toward a lamb lying nearby.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a small domestic scene centered on a woman in a dark garment holding an infant, who reaches toward a lamb lying nearby. An older male figure, leaning on a staff, stands beside them, his gaze directed downward. The setting is a muted landscape of gentle hills and trees that recedes into the background.
Subject & Meaning
The three human figures represent the Holy Family, while the lamb functions as a symbolic element, traditionally associated with the future sacrifice of Christ. Its calm proximity to the child underscores the theological connection between the infant and his destined role.
Technique & Style
The composition employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, contrasting illuminated forms against deep shadows to model the figures and emphasize volume. This handling of light and dark creates a dramatic spatial depth despite the relatively simple background.
Context
The inclusion of a lamb alongside the infant is atypical for religious paintings of the period, where animals often appear as peripheral details. Here the animal serves a deliberate iconographic purpose, linking the domestic tableau to broader theological narratives.
Artist & collection
