The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist

The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist

Cesare Roberti

1644

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a quiet indoor scene with three figures. A seated woman holds a baby on her lap while a child kneels beside her. Behind them, a window opens to a simple outdoor view with a tree and a small hill. The figures are drawn with strong, textured lines that show their clothing folds and faces clearly. The artist used shading and cross-hatching to create depth, making the figures look three-dimensional. The window scene feels like a separate picture inside the picture, adding another layer to the composition. Try looking up etching to see how this technique works.

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