Artwork
Holy Family and Four Saints
Holy Family and Four Saints is an ink print by the Baroque artist John Baptist Jackson. It dates from 1739 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Holy Family and Four Saints is a chiaroscuro woodcut print created by John Baptist Jackson in 1739. It is a trial proof of the key block, printed in black on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a religious scene featuring a seated woman holding a baby, surrounded by children, with two kneeling men below. The scene is set within an ornate architectural frame, suggesting a sacred narrative.
Technique & Style
The chiaroscuro technique uses layered ink to achieve dramatic lighting effects, with deep shadows and bright highlights. As a trial proof, this impression shows the early stage of the printing process, with some details still rough.
History & Provenance
John Baptist Jackson, a British printmaker active in Paris and Venice, innovated within the woodcut medium, often basing his prints on oil paintings. This work reflects his technical ambition and experimentation with techniques like subtle overprinting and embossing.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Baptist Jackson (1701–1780) was a British artist, a woodcut printmaker of the eighteenth century.
![The Marriage at Cana [left plate], by John Baptist Jackson](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-baptist-jackson--the-marriage-at-cana-left-plate--22bae83d46cc40b5-w320.webp)
