Artwork
Holy Family
Holy Family is a print by Giulio Bonasone. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This engraving presents a serene tableau of the Holy Family accompanied by the infant Saint John the Baptist, set within an expansive, wooded landscape.
This engraving presents a serene tableau of the Holy Family accompanied by the infant Saint John the Baptist, set within an expansive, wooded landscape. The Virgin Mary cradles the Christ Child beneath a leafy tree, while the male figure—traditionally identified as Joseph—stands nearby. The composition echoes a well‑known arrangement devised by Titian, translated here into a monochrome print on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The work combines central Christian icons—the Virgin, Christ, and John the Baptist—into a pastoral scene that underscores themes of familial intimacy and divine prophecy. By situating the figures amid nature, the artist suggests a harmonious relationship between the sacred and the natural world, while the inclusion of John hints at his future role as the forerunner of Christ.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the image relies on fine incised lines and graduated shading to model form. The artist employs chiaroscuro, contrasting darker and lighter areas to suggest volume and depth, giving the figures a three‑dimensional presence despite the flat medium. Delicate hatching renders foliage, distant hills, and small fauna such as birds and deer, enriching the atmospheric setting.
History & Provenance
The print follows a composition originally devised by Titian, indicating that the engraver was working from a painted source or a drawing derived from the Venetian master’s design. Produced on paper, the work reflects the broader 16th‑century practice of disseminating celebrated compositions through reproducible prints, allowing wider audiences to engage with Titian’s imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giulio Bonasone (c. 1498 – after 1574) (or Giulio de Antonio Buonasone or Julio Bonoso) was an Italian painter and engraver born in Bologna. He possibly studied painting under Lorenzo Sabbatini, and painted a Purgatory…
Holy Family
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The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
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