An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Holy Family1613
Artist: Luis Tristán
Spanish, 1586–1640
56 x 43 in. (142.24 x 109.22 cm) (canvas)
73 1/2 x 61 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. (186.69 x 155.58 x 8.57 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
Spain
17th century
The William Hood Dunwoody Fund
In a quiet room steeped in soft light, an intimate scene unfolds, inviting the viewer to step closer. The Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and their precious child—sits together, encapsulated in a fleeting moment that speaks volumes. The air is thick with realism, every detail rendered with breathtaking clarity.
Mary cradles her baby with tender affection, her eyes reflecting both love and an indescribable sorrow. Young Joseph, a figure of strength and gentleness, gently holds up a dove, its wings poised delicately, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. But the child, enraptured by the warmth of his parents, turns away from this symbol of serenity. He gazes, unblinking, at the beholder, drawing us into his world—a world filled with innocence yet shadowed by the weight of fate.
Their expressions tell a story of unspoken challenges, anticipations of grief lurking just beyond this serene moment. It’s as if Mary, in her choice of a humble towel, whispers an ominous foreshadowing. This towel, soft and warm, will one day become the shroud to envelop her son after the harrowing tragedy of the cross.
As we pause, caught between love and loss, we cannot help but resonate with the complex tapestry of human emotion laid bare before us. In this seemingly tranquil display, the inevitable turmoil of life weaves itself into the fabric of the scene, urging us to reflect, to understand, and to feel the depth of what it means to be human.
About the artist
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