# Holy Family [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [WECKMANN, Niklaus]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Limewood with traces of paint and gilding, height 81 cm ## Commentary Holy Family c. 1500 Limewood with traces of paint and gilding, height 81 cm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York This engaging group of the Virgin and Child with St Joseph was once the centrepiece of a large altarpiece. The Virgin and Child face in the same direction as the Child raises his right hand in blessing. Their posture suggests they may have been part of Holy Kinship group with St Anne or of an Adoration of the Magi. The orb in his left hand symbolizes Christ's role as spiritual ruler of the world. ## Related artworks - [Virgin and Child on the Crescent Moon]() - [Virgin and Child]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()