Who painted The Holy Family and Kindred?

The Holy Family and Kindred was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1522.

Where can I see The Holy Family and Kindred?

The Holy Family and Kindred is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

The Holy Family and Kindred

The Holy Family and Kindred is a print by Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1522, *The Holy Family and Kindred* is a print by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a leading German artist of the Renaissance. The work depicts a domestic scene of the Virgin, Child, and surrounding relatives, rendered in the clear, linear style typical of Cranach’s graphic output. It belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents the central Christian figures of Mary, the infant Jesus, and members of their extended family, emphasizing the intimate, earthly aspects of the holy narrative. By grouping kinfolk around the divine pair, the composition underscores themes of lineage, protection, and the human connections that surround the sacred event.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut or engraving, the print showcases Cranach’s characteristic fine line work and balanced composition. The figures are outlined with precise contours, while the use of hatching creates subtle tonal variation. The overall aesthetic reflects the artist’s blend of Northern detail and the emerging Renaissance emphasis on proportion.

History & Provenance

Cranach, who served as court painter to the Electors of Saxony, produced this work during a period of intense religious reform. The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains part of the museum’s European print and drawing collection.

Context

The early 1520s marked a pivotal moment in German art, as Cranach’s close association with Martin Luther and other reformers influenced his output. While renowned for portraits of princes and reformist leaders, Cranach also created devotional images that catered to a growing market for private religious contemplation.