An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
The Holy Family on the Steps1648
Nicolas Poussin
This deceptively simple composition represents a complex meditation on the Holy Family’s role in the redemption of humanity. At the center, Mary presents the Christ child to the world. At the left, Saint Elizabeth leans forward to foretell his eventual death, while her son, Saint John the Baptist, offers Jesus an apple, signifying humanity’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. At the right, Saint Joseph holds a compass, a sign of his occupation as a carpenter and also symbolic of God the Father. Poussin developed his composition meticulously and deliberately, using clear primary colors, simple forms, and a geometric organization to express the central importance of the Holy Family in Christian belief.
Poussin placed small wax models in a box pierced with holes to study lighting effects.
oil on canvas
Framed: 103.5 x 135.3 x 13.3 cm (40 3/4 x 53 1/4 x 5 1/4 in.); Unframed: 73.3 x 105.8 cm (28 7/8 x 41 5/8 in.); Former: 72.3 x 104 cm (28 7/16 x 40 15/16 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In the heart of a quiet gallery, away from the clamor of the outside world, hangs a painting that appears at first glance deceptively simple. But upon closer examination, layers of meaning emerge, inviting the viewer to reflect deeply on the essence of redemption. The artwork is a meditation on the Holy Family’s pivotal role in humanity’s narrative.
As one's eyes wander to the center, they find Mary, serene yet powerful, presenting the Christ child to the world. Her gentle gaze seems to beckon us closer, inviting our hearts to embrace the hope embodied in this sacred moment. To the left, a figure leans forward—a compassionate Saint Elizabeth. Her expression is filled with foreboding, sensing the weight of the future that the child will bear. A shiver reverberates like a whisper through the air as she prophesies his eventual death, a shadow cast long before the first steps of his earthly journey.
Beside her, Saint John the Baptist stands, an apple held delicately in his hands. This humble fruit serves as a poignant reminder of humanity’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden, representing both innocence lost and the complexities of existence. The apple glimmers softly, caught in the light, while around it, the colors of the painting pulse with significance.
To the right, Saint Joseph, sturdy and steadfast, cradles a compass, a symbol of his dual role as a carpenter and as a representation of God the Father. This simple tool speaks to the navigation of life, the choices we make, and the paths we forge, inspiring thoughts of destiny woven through the fabric of daily existence. Joseph's presence grounds the composition, embodying the earthly aspect of a divine mission.
The artist, Poussin, constructed this tableau with both rigor and care, employing bright primary colors that sing against the muted backdrop, and arranging the forms with geometric precision. Each detail, every stroke, is a testament to the central importance of the Holy Family within Christian belief.
As viewers step back from the painting, they may find themselves not just spectators but participants in a timeless story, one that stirs the soul and prompts quiet contemplation on faith, sacrifice, and the intricate tapestry of human life. Each glance reveals another layer, allowing the heart to resonate with the depth of hope that emanates from this deceptively simple masterpiece.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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