Holy Family

The painting by an unknown author of the second half of the 17th century reproduces a theme widespread in sacred art – the Return of the Holy Family from Egypt (also known as the Earthly Trinity) and illustrates lines from the Gospel of Matthew, 2:19–21: "But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 'Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life'. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel" (The Bible. Translation by Ivan Ohiienko).
In the centre of the dynamic composition, the Holy Family is depicted in motion: Jesus Christ appears as a young boy, with the Most Holy Mother of God and Saint Joseph the Betrothed on either side of Him.
The Virgin is attired in a traditional soft pink dress and a blue maphorion. Saint Joseph, in an ochre-yellow cloak, holds a staff that has blossomed with almond flowers, symbolising his righteousness and divine election. The gazes of both parents are directed at the young Jesus.
In the upper part of the painting, against the backdrop of a spreading palm crown, which serves as a symbol of Christ's victory over death, the Archangel Gabriel is depicted with a white lily in his hand, along with little angels scattering white and pink flowers upon the earthly path of the Holy Family. A ruined ancient column on the right in the background symbolises the triumph of Christianity over paganism.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery