A Meat Stall with the Holy Family Giving Alms is a painting by the Dutch artist Pieter Aertsen (1508–1575).

In the background, it shows a scene from the biblical theme of the flight into Egypt,[6] where the Virgin Mary is seen stopped on the road, giving alms to the poor.

His compositions in the Flemish tradition were remarkably original, like this painting of a meat stall, with a large, life-size still life in the foreground and three smaller scenes appearing through openings in the background.

[1][8] Since the Protestants rejected the tradition of Catholic arts, many of Aertsen's paintings were destroyed by the iconoclasts, especially his altarpieces, some of which were chopped into pieces.

[3] The viewer's senses are distracted by the rich display of various foods – plates in the foreground, meats, ham, lard, smoked fish, pigs' legs and head, bread, butter, milk, cheese[5] and hanging pretzels (in the left corner) – that has been spread out in front of the viewer, and the figure subject is overwhelmed by the still-life composition.

The various meats, including sausages, beef, fish, fowl and pork, are arranged on wooden tables, using baskets, pots and plates.

These small landscapes are hiding a religious narrative: they depict the Holy Family distributing alms on their journey to Egypt to escape from Herod's harassment.

[5] Mary, holding the Christ child and riding a donkey, led by Joseph, offers bread to a poor family,[3][5] sharing what little they have.

[17] Scholarly discussion about the sign has reached a general consensus that the message "functions as a metaphorical commentary on this scene", conveying a warning about society losing spiritual wealth by placing too great an emphasis upon material gain.