Art of the Louvre： Rembrandt van Rijn, The Holy Family with Saint Anne

Combining “history painting” with a scene of everyday life, Rembrandt depicts a sacred motif set in a humble context. At the composition’s center, Mary is depicted as a young mother feeding the Christ child. Seated next to them is Mary’s mother Saint Anne.
This grandmother is realizing that her grandson, who is bathed in glorious light, is both human and divine. As Anne’s faith and her sight complete each other, she is a model for Rembrandt’s viewer. Addressing a potential Protestant viewer, Rembrandt emphasizes the connection between the word of God in the scriptures and the word made human in Christ.