The Holy Kinship c. 1520

"The Holy Kinship," an anonymous painting from around 1520, is a prime example of Northern Renaissance art. The scene depicts the Virgin Mary, her mother Saint Anne, and the infant Jesus in a grand, architectural setting, surrounded by angels and other figures. The painting likely functioned as a devotional image, emphasizing the intimate bond between the Holy Family and their place in the divine order. The rich colors and detailed rendering of figures and drapery are characteristic of the period, while the inclusion of figures from both the earthly and heavenly realms underscores the central theme of the painting.