KESSEL, Jan van, I
(b. 1626, Antwerpen, d. 1679, Antwerpen)

Holy Family

1660s
Oil on panel, 64 x 50 cm
Amstelkring Museum, Amsterdam

Jan van Kessel painted the Holy Family within a frame formed by a gray, oval cartouche with floral garlands. Originally from Antwerp, Van Kessel specialised in painting flowers and insects and tiny animals. Here it is noticeable that Mary, Christ and Joseph have been portrayed rather less meticulously than the various flowers. Indeed, Van Kessel may have asked another artist to paint the figures.