Who painted Holy Family with St. Anne?

Holy Family with St. Anne was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1617.

Where can I see Holy Family with St. Anne?

Holy Family with St. Anne is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is Holy Family with St. Anne?

Holy Family with St. Anne is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Holy Family with St. Anne?

Museum-quality prints of Holy Family with St. Anne are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Holy Family with St. Anne

Jacob Jordaens , 1617

Holy Family with St. Anne is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1617 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1617 by the Flemish artist Jacob Jordaens, this oil painting assembles the Holy Family together with Saint Anne. The work presents the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, Joseph, and the elder matriarch in a modest interior, rendered with the rich coloration and compositional balance typical of early 17th‑century Flemish Baroque.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is the Christ Child, cradled by Mary, whose serene demeanor underscores maternal devotion. Saint Anne, depicted as an elderly woman in white, leans forward with a gentle smile, emphasizing the generational lineage of the Holy Family. Joseph appears as a bearded figure holding a gilded birdcage, a subtle reference to protection and domesticity.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, allowing a darkened background to amplify the warm illumination on the faces and garments. The red dress of Mary and the golden cage catch the eye, while the painter’s handling of texture—soft flesh, crisp fabric, and metallic sheen—demonstrates his mastery of Baroque realism.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display. Produced during a period when Jordaens rose to prominence after the deaths of Rubens and van Dyck, the work reflects his increasing role as a leading Flemish painter of religious subjects.