The Getty Acquires Three Captivating Paintings by European Masters

“We rarely are able to acquire three such significant works of art at the same time,” says Timothy Potts, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle Director of the J. Paul Getty Museum. “These paintings will considerably enhance our presentation of northern European paintings, adding depth and variety across the genres of religious imagery, independent still life, and grand portraiture. I have no doubt that all three pictures, representing very different aspects and periods of European art, will engage and delight our visitors.”

An extremely rare work by Gerard David, Holy Family highlights the artist’s use of rich oil colors and delicate brushwork that distinguish his extraordinarily meticulous painting technique. David placed the three figures—Mary, Jesus, and Joseph—close to the viewer, underscoring their warm, familial bond. The Virgin and Child tenderly embrace as Jesus presses his cheek against Mary’s while she holds her son tightly. Joseph holds a spoon and lidded bowl, keeping the porridge-like milk soup warm for the child. Jesus holds an unblemished apple, a symbol of his role as “the new Adam;” two decaying apples sitting atop the lidded bowl offer a stark allusion to the future passion of Christ.

Typical for painters of the period, David portrayed the figures in a contemporary environment: the buildings and hilly landscape visible outside the window are characteristic of 16th-century Netherlands. The superb condition of the painting preserves David’s subtle modeling of flesh and many exquisite details, such as the fine gold highlights of the Virgin’s tresses and the tiny swan floating on the pond in the background.

“With its powerful sense of immediacy, this moving and intimate depiction of the Holy Family is a major addition to our collection of Netherlandish paintings," says Davide Gasparotto, senior curator of paintings at the Getty Museum. "Its exceptional state of preservation allows us to appreciate David’s commanding use of color and delicate brushwork.”

Bouquet of Flowers in a Two-Handled Vase, early 1560s. Ludger tom Ring the Younger, (German, 1522-1584). Oil on oak panel. 37.9 x 29 cm (14 15/16 x 11 7/16 in). Getty Museum

Bouquet of Flowers in a Two-Handed Vase by German artist Ludger tom Ring the Younger becomes the earliest independent still life painting in the Getty’s collection. It marks a pivotal moment in Renaissance art, when close artistic observation of European plants, initially expressed through drawn and watercolor studies by German masters Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Dürer around 1500, became worthy subjects of panel painting.

The painting imparts a monumentality despite its relatively modest scale. On a simple shelf or table set against a dark background, the artist depicted a luxurious two-handled vase made of milky Venetian glass decorated with gold and blue enamel. The vibrant bouquet features over 15 species of plants native to northern Europe, including roses, gillyflowers, pot marigolds, pink daisies, violets, and rosemary.

“A pioneer in the history of European still life, Ludger tom Ring was the author of only a handful of panels with bouquet of flowers: this is the first bouquet painting by Ring acquired by a museum in the United States," says Gasparotto. "With its brilliant palette, exuberant textures, and characterful vase, this work greatly expands our collection of German Renaissance art."