Holy Family
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Holy Family is a 1850 by Pietro Fontana, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a woman holding two small children. The woman has soft, closed eyes and a gentle smile, dressed in loose, flowing robes. One child clings to her, while the other leans against her arm, both looking small and tender. Behind them, a dark, shadowy landscape fades into the background. Notice how the light falls softly on their faces, making them stand out against the darker background. This effect is called *chiaroscuro*—a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark. Look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use shadows to create drama.
