Flämischer Maler des 17. Jahrhunderts Lot n° 224

THE HOLY FAMILY Oil on wood. Parquetry. 116 x 90 cm. In decorative frame. Below a large tree the seated Mary in long grey-blue, red and old rose-coloured garment rich in folds, holding tightly the boy Jesus in white shirt sitting in her lap. He has placed his small hands on Mary's breast and, like Mary, looks out of the picture at the viewer with dark shining eyes. The manner of rendering this loving touch is reminiscent of depictions of Mary lactans. On the left is Joseph, standing in dark green and light brown robes, holding an open book in his hands. He has a full grey beard and looks with his slightly narrowed eyes over the book at Mary. In the background the green branches of more trees, while on the right edge the view falls into a wide landscape with a small town at the river and some staffage figures. The high sky above in yellowish-blue light of the setting sun. Harmonious painting with especially fine faces and high quality rendering of the partly shiny and wrinkled clothes. Partly small retouchings, in the lower part minimal paint chips. (1291561) (18)