Artwork
Madonna Del Gato
Madonna Del Gato is a print by the Romanticist artist William Holl. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Madonna Del Gato is an 1820 paper print produced by the English engraver William Holl the Younger. The image is a reproductive work after a composition by the late Renaissance painter Federico Barocci, and the print itself bears the names of both artists as part of its proof inscription.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a domestic tableau: a seated woman cradles an infant on her lap while a second child stands nearby. A man sits beside the woman, his gaze directed toward the children, and a cat rests on the floor, looking up at the youngsters. The arrangement suggests a tender family moment, emphasizing affection and caretaking.
Technique & Style
Executed in a soft, tonal manner, the print relies on muted browns and grays to render the figures with a gentle, almost velvety quality. Holl’s engraving technique reproduces Barocci’s characteristic delicacy, creating a sense of warmth and intimacy through subtle gradations of line and shading.
History & Provenance
Created in the early nineteenth century, the print reflects the period’s interest in reviving Renaissance imagery for a Romantic audience. Its inclusion of both Barocci’s and Holl’s names indicates it was issued as a proof, likely intended for collectors familiar with Barocci’s original composition and the burgeoning market for fine reproductions.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Holl the Elder (1771 – 1 December 1838) was a British engraver, who was believed to be of a German background, and a political radical.
