Who painted The Holy Family?

The Holy Family was painted by Simone Cantarini in 1639.

Where can I see The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Holy Family?

The Holy Family is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Holy Family?

Museum-quality prints of The Holy Family are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Holy Family

Simone Cantarini , 1639

The Holy Family is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: none; verso: at botton, in graphite: [indecipherable 98 510 15 [indecipherable] / 8-21, 758 [written upside down]; at bottom, in brown ink: Copy - reverse / 1828 WE. Rowlandson's sale N 10 Cantarini
Markings: Marked:verso: Hamburger Kunsthalle (Lught 1328 and 686)

About this work

Overview

Simone Cantarini’s 1639 print, titled The Holy Family, is an etching executed on laid paper. The image presents a modest domestic tableau of a mother, father, and child, rendered with restrained line work that conveys a tranquil atmosphere characteristic of early Baroque religious imagery.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the biblical Holy Family, emphasizing their intimate interaction rather than dramatic narrative. By placing the figures in a simple interior, Cantarini underscores themes of domestic devotion and the sanctity of everyday life, inviting contemplation of the familial bond within a sacred context.

Technique & Style

Cantarini employs the etching process on laid paper, allowing fine, luminous lines to emerge from the incised copper plate. His handling of line balances delicate detail with broader, softened areas, reflecting the Bolognese classicist influence while maintaining a naturalistic clarity in the figures’ features and drapery.

History & Provenance

Born in Pesaro in 1612, Cantarini was active as both painter and printmaker in the early seventeenth century. The Holy Family etching was produced during a prolific period of his career, though specific ownership records are scarce; it remains attributed to his workshop and is catalogued among his known prints.

Context

The work aligns with Baroque tendencies toward intimate religious scenes that eschew grandiose settings in favor of personal devotion. Cantarini’s approach mirrors contemporary trends in Italian printmaking, where artists used etching to disseminate devotional images to a broader audience while preserving a refined aesthetic.