This painting is part of the group: The Dal Pozzo Sacraments
On loan from the Duke of Rutland's Trustees, Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Lincolnshire, © The Duke of Rutland's Trustees, Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Lincs.
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This sacrament is represented by the marriage of the Virgin Mary and Joseph as related in the 'Protovangelicum', a book written in the 2nd century AD about the birth and infancy of Christ. According to this book, Joseph held a rod which flowered, and this distinguished him from the other suitors for Mary's hand. The dove of the Holy Spirit hovers above the central group.
This is one of a series of paintings illustrating the sacraments painted for Poussin's Roman patron, Cassiano dal Pozzo.
Other paintings in this group: The Dal Pozzo Sacraments
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The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN