Virgin and Child with Saint Joseph 1550 - 1599

This small, intimate painting depicts the Holy Family at a simple meal. The Virgin Mary nurses the Christ Child while Saint Joseph sits at the table, seemingly preparing a meal. The artist, who remains anonymous, uses a naturalistic style to capture the scene, emphasizing the everyday aspects of family life. The painting is thought to be from the late 16th century, a time when Northern European artists increasingly focused on depicting the human side of religious figures. This work offers a glimpse into the quiet domesticity of the holy family, a theme common in the art of the period. The painting is now located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.