The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and Saint Zacharias with their Infant Saint John
1734
oil
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
1734
oil
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
This painting shows a group of people gathered around a woman holding a baby. The woman is dressed in blue and pink robes, and the baby is naked. To her right stands an older man with a long white beard and a staff, while to her left is another older man with a white beard. In front of her, a small child stands on the floor, and a woman sits on the floor to her left. The scene is set against a dark background with a red curtain draped above the figures. The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet contemplation, with the figures engaged in a moment of intimate connection. For more on the use of chiaroscuro to create dramatic lighting effects, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
