Artwork
The Holy Family with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth
The Holy Family with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Giulio Romano. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
The Holy Family with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth is an oil painting created by Giulio Romano around 1532, characterized by its Mannerist style, diverging from the classicism of the High Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a serene religious scene where the Virgin Mary, with the infant Jesus, is accompanied by Saint Elizabeth and a kneeling Saint John the Baptist, conveying a moment of tender interaction among the figures.
Technique & Style
Romano's use of a dark, mysterious background contrasts with the detailed, texture-emphasizing treatment of the Virgin's robes, where light accentuates the fabric's folds, showcasing Mannerist attention to specific visual elements.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the National Gallery of Ireland's collection, with its creation date traced back to circa 1532, reflecting Romano's post-Raphael period.
Context
As a pupil of Raphael, Romano's deviation into Mannerism in this piece reflects the broader artistic shift away from High Renaissance ideals in the early 16th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giulio Pippi (c. 1499 – 1 November 1546), known as Giulio Romano (US: JOOL-yoh rə-MAH-noh( Italian: ) and sometimes known in French as Jules Romain, was an Italian painter and architect. He was a pupil of Raphael, and…
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