The Holy Family with Two Angels in a Vaulted Hall

Albrecht Dürer

National Gallery of Art

The image is a detailed woodcut showing a scene with several figures. In the center foreground, a seated woman is depicted in full-length with her head slightly tilted down, holding a child on her lap. The child is facing forward and reaching out towards another figure. Both the woman and child have gentle facial features, and the woman's hair is covered by a draped headpiece. Around them are two angels with large wings, standing on either side, and a bearded man standing to the right, observing the scene with a gentle gesture toward them. The figures wear flowing gowns. Behind them is an archway with a round, recessed detail in the center. In the upper corners of the arch are figures resembling mythological characters.