De Heilige Familie bij de maaltijd 1520 - 1572

Giulio Campi made this pen and brown ink drawing of The Holy Family at the table sometime in the 16th century. Here, the artist depicts Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus in an intimate, domestic setting. This was a popular subject in Italian Renaissance art, reflecting the era's humanistic values and interest in everyday life. The sketch shows the family gathered around a table during a meal, which underscores the idea of the Holy Family as ordinary people. The Catholic Church's emphasis on the humanity of Christ and the virtues of family life definitely influenced Campi. This drawing may have been a preparatory sketch for a larger painting, but it also functions as a work of art in its own right. Art historians study drawings like this to understand artists' creative processes, and how they are situated within cultural, religious, and political contexts.