Artwork
The Holy Family
The Holy Family is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Bartholomäus Ignaz Weiss. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Holy Family is a drawing by Bartholomäus Ignaz Weiss, dating to circa 1774, executed in pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash, accented with white and pink gouache on blue laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts an intimate scene of the Holy Family, with the Virgin holding the infant Jesus while Joseph reaches towards them, conveying a sense of tender interaction within a humble, simply rendered cave setting.
Technique & Style
Weiss employed quick, loose brushstrokes with brown ink and wash to evoke movement and emotional depth, contrasting with subtle highlights of white and pink gouache, all on a distinctive blue-tinted paper base.
History & Provenance
Created around 1774, the work reflects Weiss's practice within the late Baroque period, though specific ownership history prior to its current location is not detailed here.
Context
While the drawing's style aligns more with the expressive qualities of the Baroque (characterized by drama and energy), its restrained composition and use of blue paper underneath suggest a nuanced interpretation of traditional themes.
Legacy
The Holy Family, as a work by Weiss, contributes to the broader legacy of Baroque-inspired religious art, though its individual impact or influence on subsequent artists is not prominently highlighted in available information.
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Artist & collection
