The Holy Family

The Holy Family

Simone Cantarini

1630

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three people in a crowded, dramatic scene. One woman stands in the center, holding a child, while another woman reaches toward her. The background is full of quick, messy lines—like trees or fabric—giving the whole image a sense of movement. Faces are rough but expressive, with big eyes and strong emotions. The artist used a technique that creates scratchy, layered lines, which makes the scene feel urgent. This style was popular in the 1600s for its energy and raw feel. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints with acid and needles.

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