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The Holy Family (Collinson painting) facts for kids

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The Holy Family
Collinson, Holy Family.jpg
Artist James Collinson
Year 1878
Medium Oil on canvas
Dimensions 110.5 cm × 85.1 cm (43.5 in × 33.5 in)

The Holy Family is a famous oil painting created by the artist James Collinson. He was part of a group called the Pre-Raphaelites. This painting shows the Holy Family, which includes Jesus as a baby, his mother Mary, and his earthly father Joseph.

Collinson painted this artwork in 1878. At that time, he was living in a region of France called Brittany. The town you see in the background of the painting might be Saint-Malo, a coastal city in Brittany.

What is the Holy Family Painting About?

This painting shows a peaceful scene with baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. While this exact moment isn't described in the Bible's Gospels, many artists before Collinson also painted similar family scenes. It was a popular subject in art, especially during the Renaissance period.

Symbolism in the Painting

You might notice a dove in the painting. In art, a dove often represents the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is believed to have appeared as a dove when Jesus was baptized. This adds a special, spiritual meaning to the family scene.

Art Style and Details

The painting shows a lot of tiny details, especially in the plants and flowers. This very detailed style is similar to Collinson's earlier works from his time with the Pre-Raphaelite group. It's interesting because it's different from some of his other paintings made around the same time. The Pre-Raphaelites were known for their love of bright colors and incredible detail.

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