Who painted Saint Joseph with the Christ Child?

Saint Joseph with the Christ Child was painted by Paul Troger in 1720.

Where can I see Saint Joseph with the Christ Child?

Saint Joseph with the Christ Child is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Joseph with the Christ Child?

Saint Joseph with the Christ Child is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Saint Joseph with the Christ Child?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Joseph with the Christ Child are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint Joseph with the Christ Child

Paul Troger , 1720

Saint Joseph with the Christ Child is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paul Troger. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center in plate: PTF; by later hand, upper center verso in graphite: Paul Troger; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 98/096 / Paul Troger

About this work

Overview

Saint Joseph with the Christ Child is an etching on laid paper created by Austrian Baroque artist Paul Troger around 1720. The work showcases Troger's skill in printmaking, distinct from his renowned illusionistic ceiling frescoes.

Subject & Meaning

The etching portrays a tender religious scene of Saint Joseph, an older man with a long beard, intimately holding the Christ Child. The composition emphasizes their close relationship, set amidst an ambiguous, densely lined background.

Technique & Style

Troger employed dense, scratchy lines to achieve textured effects, suggesting the softness of fabric and the roughness of fur. The overlapping lines create a busy, almost chaotic visual dynamic, characteristic of his detailed printmaking approach.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1720, this etching reflects Troger's influence on subsequent Austrian artists, particularly through his printmaking. However, specific provenance details (ownership history) are not provided.

Context

While Troger is celebrated for his large-scale, dynamically lit ceiling frescoes, this etching demonstrates his adaptability to a smaller, more intricate medium, highlighting the versatility of Baroque artistic practices.