Artwork
Holy Family with Putti
Holy Family with Putti is a print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1773, *Holy Family with Putti* is an aquatint print by the French artist Jean‑Claude‑Richard de Saint‑Non. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It presents the Virgin Mary, the infant Jesus, and Saint Joseph surrounded by cherubic figures, rendered in a calm, softly colored composition.
Subject & Meaning
The image follows a long tradition of depicting the Holy Family in a domestic setting, here accompanied by playful putti that emphasize the tenderness of the scene. The inclusion of these angelic children underscores themes of innocence and divine protection, inviting contemplation of the familial bond at the heart of Christian narrative.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Non employed the aquatint process, a relatively new printmaking technique in the late eighteenth century that allowed for nuanced tonal gradations. By manipulating acid exposure and resin dust, he achieved the gentle washes of color and subtle shading that give the composition its atmospheric softness, demonstrating his experimental skill in handling groups and hues.
History & Provenance
Born and deceased in Paris, Saint‑Non originally intended a clerical career before turning to art, becoming an early advocate of aquatint in France. The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it remains part of the museum’s European print and drawing collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non
Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non (1727 – 25 November 1791) was a French painter and printmaker.
