1630
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Holy Family is a 1630 ink by Simone Cantarini, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a woman holding a child, with another small figure nearby. The background is filled with swirling lines that look like trees or wind, all drawn in black and white. The woman’s face is turned slightly away, and her clothes are simple but detailed with quick, textured strokes. The artist used a technique that lets lines overlap to create depth, almost like scratching into the surface. This was a way to make the image feel dynamic and alive. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this one made prints using acid and metal plates.
Simone Cantarini or Simone da Pesaro, called il Pesarese (Baptized on 21 August 1612 – 15 October 1648) was an Italian painter and etcher.
See the richer artist page
