“The Holy Family on the Steps” is an eminent work by Nicolas Poussin, crafted circa 1648, which exemplifies the classical style of art. This religious painting was executed using oil on canvas and measures approximately 69 by 98 centimeters. Currently, this artwork is part of the Kress Collection housed in Washington, DC, United States.
The artwork presents a poised and serene composition characteristic of Poussin’s classical aesthetic. It depicts the Holy Family, with the Virgin Mary centered and seated on the steps, clad in a blue robe with red drapery, holding the infant Jesus in a tender embrace. To her side, a young John the Baptist affectionately reaches out to Christ, guided by an elderly woman traditionally identified as Saint Elizabeth. To the far left, a woman in a yellow garment is seen kneeling and gazing towards the infants with a posture full of admiration. Adjacent to this group is Joseph, who appears contemplative with his head bowed, absorbed in reading or writing.
Architectural elements frame the composition, lending it a sense of solidity and permanence. The strong use of light and shadow creates a sense of three-dimensionality, while the subtle gestures and expressions of the figures evoke a narrative rich with devotion and familial bond. This arrangement against the serene sky and the inclusion of classical architecture, such as columns and a broken pediment in the background, further situates the artwork within the ideals of Classical art. A basket of fruit in the foreground adds a symbolic touch to the scene, possibly alluding to the fruitfulness of the Christian message or the bounty of divine grace.
