The Holy Family with a Lamb
by Raphael, 1507
Artwork Details
Details
- Year
- 1507
- Medium
- Oil on wood
- Size
- 29 cm × 21 cm (11.4 × 8.3 in)
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Raphael painted The Holy Family with a Lamb in 1507, early in his career. The infant Jesus sits astride a lamb while Mary steadies him and Joseph watches from behind. The lamb prefigures Christ's sacrificial role, while the intimate family scene emphasizes Jesus's humanity.
This small devotional painting demonstrates Raphael's graceful composition and tender characterization. The figures form a stable pyramid, a Renaissance convention for conveying harmony. The soft landscape behind them recalls both Leonardo's atmospheric backgrounds and Perugino's gentle Umbrian hills.
Despite its modest size, this painting influenced countless later depictions of the Holy Family. The Prado displays it as an early work by one of art's most beloved painters.
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About The Holy Family with a Lamb
The lamb symbolizes Christ's future sacrifice. Jesus riding it foreshadows his role as the 'Lamb of God' who dies for humanity.
Only 29 × 21 cm (11.4 × 8.3 inches), a small devotional work by Raphael This work dates to 1507.
At the Museo del Prado in Madrid, part of the Spanish royal collection The oil on wood work is part of their permanent collection.
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