Artwork
The Holy Family
The Holy Family is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Ludovico Mazzolino. It dates from 1516 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Ludovico Mazzolino’s *The Holy Family* (1516) is a small wooden panel painting that presents a serene domestic scene of the Virgin, Child, and Joseph. The composition is anchored by a kneeling male figure in a red garment, a seated woman in dark blue holding an infant, and a celestial bearded figure gesturing from above. The work resides in the Alte Pinakothek’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The central trio represents the biblical Holy Family, with the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus and Joseph offering a dish, a traditional symbol of hospitality and provision. The floating, bearded figure—interpreted as an angel—points downward, suggesting divine blessing or guidance. The tranquil expressions convey a moment of quiet devotion rather than dramatic narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed on wood, the painting employs the chiaroscuro contrasts typical of early Baroque Italian art, modeling forms through a subtle interplay of light and shadow. Mazzolino’s handling of color—deep reds, muted blues, and soft earth tones—creates a gentle modeling of flesh and drapery, while the distant town and airy clouds provide a hazy, atmospheric backdrop.
History & Provenance
Created in 1516 while Mazzolino was active in Ferrara and Bologna, the panel later entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. Documentation traces its ownership through several private collections before its acquisition by the museum in the late 19th century, where it has been displayed as part of the Italian Renaissance holdings.
Context
Mazzolino worked during a transitional period when Renaissance ideals began to give way to the emotive intensity of early Baroque. His depiction of sacred subjects often blended devotional intimacy with emerging theatricality. *The Holy Family* reflects this shift, combining a traditional religious theme with a more dynamic composition and heightened emotional resonance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ludovico Mazzolino (1480 – c. 1528) - also known as Mazzolini da Ferrara, Lodovico Ferraresa, and Il Ferrarese - was an Italian Renaissance painter active in Ferrara and Bologna.
