Artwork
Holy Family
Holy Family is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jacopo de' Barbari. It dates from 1508 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jacopo de' Barbari’s engraving titled *Holy Family* dates to around 1508. Executed in black‑and‑white line work, the print presents a seated woman cradling an infant, accompanied by an elderly bearded man. The composition reflects a conventional religious grouping, rendered with the precise incisions characteristic of early Renaissance printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, while the older figure represents Saint Joseph. Their intimate arrangement emphasizes familial devotion and the protective role of Joseph, aligning with contemporary devotional practices that highlighted the domestic aspects of the holy narrative.
Technique & Style
Created through copper engraving, the work relies on densely cross‑hatched lines to model form and suggest texture. De’ Barbari’s handling of line demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of chiaroscuro in monochrome, achieving depth and volume without the use of color, a hallmark of early sixteenth‑century Northern European print techniques.
History & Provenance
Born in Venice, de’ Barbari relocated to Germany in 1500, becoming one of the first prominent Italian artists to work north of the Alps. *Holy Family* is among the twenty‑nine engravings that survive from his oeuvre, illustrating his role in disseminating Italian Renaissance aesthetics across Europe through the portable medium of print.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacopo de' Barbari, sometimes known or referred to as de'Barbari, de Barberi, de Barbari, Barbaro, Barberino, Barbarigo or Barberigo (c.
![View of Venice [lower right block], by Jacopo de' Barbari](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/jacopo-de-barbari--view-of-venice-lower-right-block--371460ae957995b9-w320.webp)
Virgin with a Crown of Stars
The Virgin and Child with a Rose
The Holy Family Under a Canopy
The Virgin and Child with Two Angels
The Virgin with the Blessing Child in a Landscape
The Virgin in a Landscape
Virgin and Child
Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist and Two Putti (recto); Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist and a Putto (verso)
The Virgin and Child with Saint John
Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John
The Virgin Seated under a Tree
Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the Young John the Baptist