Artwork
Die Heilige Familie
Die Heilige Familie is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Leandro Bassano. It dates from 1595 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Leandro Bassano, a member of the Bassano family of painters active in Venice, completed the work titled *Die Heilige Familie* in 1595. Executed during the early Baroque, the canvas presents a quiet domestic tableau centered on the Holy Family, and today it belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a mother figure cradling an infant, with a male figure standing protectively behind them. Both are dressed in dark garments, emphasizing the intimate bond between the child and his parents. The subdued setting underscores themes of familial devotion and the sacred nature of the domestic scene.
Technique & Style
Bassano employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing light to fall on the figures while the background recedes into shadow. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional effect and draws the eye to the tender interaction in the foreground. The handling of light and shade lends the painting a warm, intimate atmosphere characteristic of early Baroque sensibilities.
History & Provenance
After its creation in the late sixteenth century, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its presence in the museum reflects the institution’s commitment to representing Venetian Baroque art and the legacy of the Bassano workshop.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leandro Bassano (10 June 1557 – 15 April 1622), also called Leandro dal Ponte, was an Italian Renaissance painter from Bassano del Grappa who was awarded a knighthood by the Doge of Venice.
