# The Holy Family

- By: Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen (Beverwijk, ca. –ca.)
- Date: c. 1528 - c. 1530
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: support: height 64.3 cm x width 54.5 cm
- Credit line: On loan from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, Amersfoort
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-C-1701--225bb015d0aaccefe778f48bd87da971)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://invisiblenetwork.ai/thumbs/web/7a0ac998be4f17778b2516035cf37038.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Cardinal Erard de la Marck was one of the most powerful men in the Low Countries. He was the confidant of Charles V and of Margaret of Austria, who was governor of the Netherlands. His portrait and the accompanying painting of The Holy Family deviate from the traditions of the time. The cardinal is not depicted in devout prayer, but gesturing with his hands as though speaking. Even more exceptional is the fact that he, and not the Holy Family, occupy the heraldically most important position on the left side.