The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth, Saint John, and a Dove

Peter Paul Rubens

ca. 1608–9 · Oil on oak · European Paintings

This panel was probably painted shortly after Rubens returned to Antwerp from Rome, where he had become one of the leading masters of the Early Baroque movement. The motif of a roughly handled dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit) is found in several contemporary Italian works and refers to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. A larger version of the composition, by Rubens and his workshop, is in the Los Angeles County Museum.

Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
Date: ca. 1608–9
Medium: Oil on oak
Department: European Paintings
Credit line: Bequest of Ada Small Moore, 1955

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