Artwork
The Holy Family
The Holy Family is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1630, *The Holy Family* is an etching by the Italian artist Simone Cantarini, who is also referred to as Simone da Pesaro. Executed in black ink on paper, the work presents a domestic interior where a mother cradles an infant while another female figure leans toward them, illuminated by daylight from a nearby window.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a tender moment within the Holy Family narrative, emphasizing maternal care and the gentle interaction between the figures. The weary yet compassionate expression of the mother and the infant’s reaching gesture toward the second woman suggest themes of devotion, protection, and the intimate bonds that underpin the religious story.
Technique & Style
Cantarini employed the characteristic etching process, incising fine lines into a metal plate and transferring the ink onto paper. His handling of line conveys the texture of fabrics and the subtle modeling of faces, producing a sketch‑like vitality. The work reflects a synthesis of Bolognese classicist compositional balance with a more direct, naturalistic observation of human gestures.
History & Provenance
Simone Cantarini, a painter and printmaker from Pesaro, worked primarily in the early seventeenth century, focusing on historical subjects and portraiture.
Simone Cantarini, a painter and printmaker from Pesaro, worked primarily in the early seventeenth century, focusing on historical subjects and portraiture. *The Holy Family* fits within his broader output of religious prints, noted for their luminous quality and delicate handling. The etching remains documented as part of his printed oeuvre, though specific ownership records after its creation are limited.
Artist & collection
Artist
Simone Cantarini or Simone da Pesaro, called il Pesarese (Baptized on 21 August 1612 – 15 October 1648) was an Italian painter and etcher.
