REMBRANDT Harmenszoon van Rijn
(b. 1606, Leiden, d. 1669, Amsterdam)

The Holy Family with a Curtain

1646
Oil on wood, 46,5 x 69 cm
Staatliche Museen, Kassel

Catalogue number: Bredius 572.

The Holy Family and other representations of the childhood of Christ occur frequently in Rembrandt's art during the 1640s. Domestic happiness and intimacy are their dominate mood.

This representation at Kassel is pervaded with the happiness of peaceful family life. This small picture has the illusionism of the portraits of Nicolaes van Bambeeck and Agatha Bas (Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, and Royal Collection, Windsor), for it too has a painted frame, and here a painted curtain has been added as well. The Virgin is seated before the cradle near a little fire to warm her feet. A cat crouches ready to snatch the remnants in the bowl. Joseph is working with an axe. Rembrandt convinces us that all this takes place in a humble interior sanctified by faith.




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