The Family of St Anne
by VOS, Marten de, Oil on panel, 155,3 x 170 cm
The painting is a classic example of the Italian influence on Antwerp painting in the 16th century and illustrates the secularisation of religious painting on the eve of the Baroque. What makes this particular work so interesting is not so much its overall impact as the refined treatment of the individual figures and the realistic rendering of the various objects.
The painting is signed and dated upper centre on the frieze of the portico: FECIT MERTINO DE VOS 1585.