On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01703
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- The Holy Family surrounded by Saints
- Chronology
- Ca. 1628
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 79 cm x 64 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
The Virgin sits with the Christ
Child in the midst of grandiose
classical architecture. She is
surrounded by numerous saints in
various positions. Above her, some
angels prepare to crown her as
Queen of Heaven.
This work was sometimes thought to
be a representation of The Mystical
Betrothal of Saint Catherine,
because of the strong presence of
that saint, who is depicted
kneeling before the Christ
Child.
This is a reduced copy or model for
the large altar painting that
Isabel Clara Eugenia commissioned
Rubens to make for the Augustinians
at Antwerp in 1628. Its
relationship to the large altar
painting explains the low viewpoint
and the figures' monumental
sense.
Rubens kept this work until his
death in 1640. Shortly thereafter,
it entered the collection of Felipe
IV, who sent it to the Monastery of
El Escorial. From there, it entered
the Prado Museum in 1839.
Location on the map
