Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

The Holy Family with Angels

oil on canvas (117 × 91 cm) — 1645 Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to Luke 2:40

Mary pauses her reading of the Bible in order to check on her son. He is sound asleep in his cradle. In the background Joseph is at work. A group of angels enters the room to witness this domestic scene.

Rembrandt used three sources of light in this painting. Joseph's workshop receives light from the the top right, probably entering through a window. Mary's face glows in the warmth of the fireplace on the right. The angels of course are accompanied by divine light from Heaven.

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