Who painted The Holy Family in a Landscape?

The Holy Family in a Landscape was painted by Jan the Elder Rombouts in 1528.

Where can I see The Holy Family in a Landscape?

The Holy Family in a Landscape is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Holy Family in a Landscape?

The Holy Family in a Landscape is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Holy Family in a Landscape?

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

Artwork

The Holy Family in a Landscape

Jan the Elder Rombouts , 1528

The Holy Family in a Landscape is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jan the Elder Rombouts. It dates from 1528 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jan the Elder Rombouts produced a copperplate engraving titled The Holy Family in a Landscape around 1528. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a modestly sized print that combines a devotional subject with a naturalistic setting, reflecting the early‑Renaissance interest in integrating biblical narratives into everyday surroundings.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Mary seated on a stone, gently holding the infant Jesus, while Joseph leans against a tree trunk nearby. The figures are placed within a gently rolling countryside, complete with distant hills, trees, and a small village, suggesting a harmonious relationship between the sacred family and the ordinary world.

Technique & Style

Rombouts employed fine cross‑hatching to model forms and suggest atmospheric depth. The layered lines create subtle tonal variations that convey the texture of rock, foliage, and fabric, while the restrained palette of black ink emphasizes the intimate mood without relying on elaborate ornamentation.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to a series of early 16th‑century religious engravings circulated among devotional collectors. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is documented in several European print collections, indicating its distribution through the burgeoning market for affordable religious imagery.

Context

Created during the Northern Renaissance, the engraving reflects contemporary humanist tendencies to place biblical figures within recognizable, pastoral environments. This approach aligns with the period’s broader artistic shift toward naturalism and the integration of classical landscape motifs into Christian subjects.