Artwork
The Holy Family Adored by Angels (The Large Nativity)
The Holy Family Adored by Angels (The Large Nativity) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Bartolomeo Biscaino. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bartolomeo Biscaino’s 1644 etching, titled The Holy Family Adored by Angels, presents a tranquil Nativity scene. The composition centers on the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, with Saint Joseph standing nearby, while a group of angels hovers above, some playing music and others bearing blossoms.
Subject & Meaning
The work conveys a devotional atmosphere, emphasizing the familial bond of the Holy Family and the celestial reverence offered by the angels. The gentle expressions and the inclusion of musical instruments suggest a celebratory worship, reinforcing the theological theme of divine protection and harmony.
Technique & Style
Executed in fine etched lines, the image achieves depth through subtle gradations of light and shadow. Biscaino’s handling of delicate cross‑hatching creates texture in the figures’ garments and the surrounding space, while the intricate detailing of the angels’ wings and accessories enhances the overall sense of intimacy.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, the print reflects the Baroque period’s interest in religious subjects rendered with emotional nuance. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the etching has been catalogued among Biscaino’s known works and appears in several collections of Italian Baroque prints.
Artist & collection
The Nativity
The Adoration of the Shepherds
God the Father and Angels Adoring the Christ Child
San Carlo Borromeo Giving Last Communion to Victims of the Plague
Sacrifice to Love
Allégorie des mariages faits par la ville de Paris à la naissance du duc de Bourgogne (Allegory of the Marriages Performed by the City of Paris in Honor of the Birth of the Duc de Bourgogne in 1751)
Tobias Healing His Father
Saint Jerome Hearing the Trumpet of the Last Judgement
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
Theseus Finding Aegeus' Arms
The Holy Family with Saint Catherine, Saint John the Evangelist, and an Angel