The artwork titled “The Holy Family with angels under trees” was created by Albrecht Durer around the year 1500. It is associated with the Northern Renaissance art movement and is categorized as a religious painting. The piece is currently housed in the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin in Berlin, Germany.
The artwork is a highly detailed drawing that depicts the Holy Family, consisting of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child, seated under trees. In Durer’s representation, the Virgin Mary occupies the central part of the composition, seated gracefully and holding the Christ Child. To the left, Saint Joseph is shown in contemplation or perhaps adoration, looking down at the child. The Child appears playful or in a blessing pose. Angels are incorporated into the scene, although their presence is subtle and might be intertwined with the foliage.
The natural setting includes a carefully rendered background with trees and architecture, indicating a landscape that is both serene and domestic. Durer’s mastery in drawing is evident in the delicate lines and the attention to detail, which adds depth to the figures and creates a sense of realism in the holy figures’ features and clothing. The scene conveys a tranquil and intimate moment of the family, with divine presence gently suggested through the inclusion of angels and the detailed natural surroundings.
