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It is thought that the family was probably Catholic because the Imperial Habsburg escutcheon is woven into the damask tablecloth. This picture is rich in biblical symbolism, derived from Psalms 1 and 128. In the background to the left of the painting, the view through the open window shows a tree by a river (symbolic of a good family man) and a vine growing against a wall (symbolic of the fertile housewife).
Title
A Family Saying Grace before a Meal
Date
c.1585
Medium
oil on panel
Measurements
H 96.5 x W 142 cm
Accession number
SBT 1990-49
Acquisition method
purchased, 1990
Work type
Painting
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