Artwork
Presentation Sketch for "The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Joachim, and John the Baptist" (for Santa Maria in Via Lata, Roma)
Presentation Sketch for "The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Joachim, and John the Baptist" (for Santa Maria in Via Lata, Roma) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Francesco Trevisani. It dates from 1729 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in the early eighteenth century, this Roman painting gathers the Virgin, Child, Saint Joseph, the grandparents Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, and the infant John the Baptist. The composition emphasizes familial intimacy, presenting the figures in a unified, domestic setting that underscores the relational ties within the Christian narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of Anne and Joachim, holding books that likely allude to the Hebrew Scriptures, links the New Testament scene to its Old Testament roots. The presence of the infant John the Baptist further highlights the prophetic lineage, while the overall arrangement celebrates the continuity of faith across generations.
Technique & Style
The artist employs soft, flowing lines and delicate modeling to convey tenderness among the figures. A gentle chiaroscuro bathes the scene in warm light, and the subtle coloration recalls the graceful manner of Guido Reni, whose influence persisted in Roman religious painting throughout the century.
History & Provenance
Originally intended for the church of Santa Maria in Via Lata in Rome, the work later entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains accessible to the public. Its relocation reflects the broader movement of Baroque ecclesiastical art into museum contexts during the twentieth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Trevisani (April 9, 1656 – July 30, 1746) was an Italian painter, active in the period called either early Rococo or late Baroque (barochetto).
Dead Christ Supported by Angels
Presentation Sketch for "The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Joachim, and John the Baptist" (for Santa Maria in Via Lata, Roma)
Holy Family with the Infant St. John
The Virgin and Child
Hl. Sebastian
Penitent Magdalen
The Martyrdom of the Seven Sons of Saint Felicity
Body of Christ, held by angels
