Artwork

Triptych of the Holy Family

Triptych of the Holy Family, by Jan Gossaert, unspecified, 1501
Triptych of the Holy Family, by Jan Gossaert, unspecified, 1501

Triptych of the Holy Family is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Jan Gossaert. It dates from 1501 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Ancient Art.

About this work

Overview

Triptych of the Holy Family is a religious painting by Jan Gossaert, also known as Jan Mabuse, created in 1501. This triptych consists of three panels, with the central panel depicting a family scene and the two side panels featuring individual figures.

Subject & Meaning

The triptych's central theme revolves around the Holy Family, a religious subject. The central panel portrays a domestic scene, while the side panels likely represent saints or angels, collectively conveying a devotional message.

Technique & Style

Executed in a realistic style, the painting showcases detailed renderings of clothing and facial expressions. The muted color palette, dominated by browns and grays, is set against a landscape background with trees and buildings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1501 by Jan Gossaert, a Northern Renaissance artist who later incorporated Italian Renaissance elements into his work after a 1508-09 visit to Rome. The triptych is currently housed in the National Museum of Ancient Art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan Gossaert

Artist

Jan Gossaert

Jan Gossaert (c. 1478 – 1 October 1532) was a French-speaking painter from the Low Countries also known as Jan Mabuse (the name he adopted from his birthplace, Maubeuge) or Jennyn van Hennegouwe (Hainaut), as he called…