Who painted The Holy Family?

The Holy Family was painted by Rafał Hadziewicz in 1844.

Where can I see The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is held by National Museum in Kraków.

What movement is The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of The Holy Family?

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

Artwork

The Holy Family

Rafał Hadziewicz , 1844

The Holy Family is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Rafał Hadziewicz. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

Rafał Hadziewicz’s *The Holy Family* is an oil painting executed in 1844. Created during the Biedermeier period, the work presents a domestic tableau of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and the infant Jesus. The composition is held in the National Museum in Kraków, where it forms part of the museum’s 19th‑century Polish collection.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays the intimate bond of the Holy Family, a recurrent theme in Christian art. Mary is shown seated, cradling the child, while Joseph stands protectively nearby. The central placement of the infant underscores his theological significance, while the gentle interaction conveys familial devotion and the human aspect of the biblical narrative.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil, the painting benefits from the medium’s capacity for subtle tonal variation and depth. Hadziewicz employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated areas with darker shadows to model the figures and give the scene a three‑dimensional presence. The restrained palette and modest details reflect the Biedermeier aesthetic of modesty and middle‑class sensibility.

History & Provenance

After its completion in 1844, the work entered the holdings of the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains on display. Its presence in the museum’s collection highlights the artist’s reputation in Poland for both portraiture and religious subjects, and it provides a representative example of mid‑19th‑century Polish religious painting.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Rafał Hadziewicz

Rafał Hadziewicz (13 October 1803 – 7 September 1883) was a Polish painter; primarily of portraits and religious works, and an expert on ancient culture.