Artwork
Holy Family at the fire
Holy Family at the fire is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Created in 1532 by the Dutch painter Jan Cornelisz.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1532 by the Dutch painter Jan Cornelisz. Vermeyen, *Holy Family at the Fire* is an oil painting that belongs to the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The work presents a domestic scene illuminated by a modest fire, centering on a mother cradling an infant while other figures gather nearby. Its composition balances intimacy with a subtle narrative focus on familial devotion.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures—a woman in a red garment holding a naked child—are identified as Mary and the Christ infant, accompanied by Joseph and a younger child. A kneeling woman reaches toward the baby, suggesting reverence, while an older man observes from the periphery. The warm glow of the fire underscores themes of protection and the domestic sanctuary of the Holy Family.
Technique & Style
Vermeyen employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, allowing the firelight to carve out the contours of faces and flesh against a darker background. The soft transitions of shadow and the luminous highlights on the infant’s skin create a tactile sense of heat. The painter’s handling of oil paint yields a smooth surface that enhances the intimate atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Active in the early sixteenth century, Vermeyen worked mainly in Mechelen and served the Habsburg court, including Emperor Charles V. *Holy Family at the Fire* reflects his engagement with religious genre scenes popular in early Baroque Italy. The painting entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings, where it remains part of the museum’s representation of Northern European art of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Cornelisz. Vermeyen, also known as Juan del Mayo (c. 1503 – 1559) was a Dutch painter, printmaker and tapestry designer. He is known for his portraits, history scenes and genre subjects. He worked in Mechelen and…
