John Everett Millais’ “Christ in the House of His Parents” is a significant religious oil painting from the Pre-Raphaelite movement, created between 1849 and 1850. The artwork depicts the Holy Family in Joseph’s carpentry workshop, with a young Jesus sitting on the ground after cutting his hand on a nail. The painting’s precision and attention to realistic details bring the scene to life, making it seem as if we are witnessing an actual family moment.
Christian symbolism is prominent throughout Millais’ painting. The portrayal of Saint Joseph holding a hammer and three pieces of wood arranged to form a carpenter’s triangle represents the Holy Trinity within Christianity. Additionally, Jesus’ injury prefigures his future crucifixion, symbolized by the nails laying around at his feet.
The “Christ in the House of His Parents” artwork was divisive when first exhibited; it garnered negative reviews from critics such as Charles Dickens who accused it of being overly realistic with unsightly depictions of Mary and an unbecoming image for Christ. Despite this reception, John Millais would go on to have immense success later in his career as one of Britain’s most famous painters during Victorian era.
Today, this remarkable oil painting resides at Tate Britain gallery in London where one can admire first-hand its detail and realism without worrying about any cost since it is part of public domain artworks.
