WERFF, Adriaen van der
(b. 1659, Kralingen, d. 1722, Rotterdam)

Holy Family

1714
Oil on panel, 36 x 29 cm
Amstelkring Museum, Amsterdam

Although not stated as such, this painting appears to show the Holy Family resting during the flight into Egypt. An unusual feature is the branch of cherries. In Christian teaching, the cherry symbolises heaven and is the reward of the righteous. This family scene shows what it is possible to achieve in this life.

Adriaen van der Werff was one of the "fijnschilders," a group of artists who painted with such minute precision that not a single brush-stroke can be seen.