Artwork

The Holy Family with St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdalen

The Holy Family with St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdalen, by Marco Palmezzano, oil, 1500
The Holy Family with St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdalen, by Marco Palmezzano, oil, 1500

The Holy Family with St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdalen is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Marco Palmezzano. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1500, *The Holy Family with St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdalen* is an oil painting by Marco Palmezzano, a Forlì school artist known for his work in both painting and architecture.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a serene religious scene featuring the Christ Child, Saint John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene alongside the Holy Family. The composition adheres to Northern Renaissance conventions, emphasizing detailed, symbolic figures.

Technique & Style

Palmezzano employed chiaroscuro to achieve depth and volume, with a left-source light casting nuanced shadows across the figures, clad in attire characteristic of the Renaissance.

History & Provenance

The work is part of the Walters Art Museum's collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

While influenced by Northern Renaissance styles, Palmezzano's work reflects the broader artistic currents of early 16th-century Italy, blending traditional religious themes with emerging Renaissance techniques.

Legacy

As a representative of the Forlì school, this painting contributes to the understanding of regional Italian art movements during the Renaissance, though its broader impact on the art historical canon is not extensively detailed.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marco Palmezzano

Artist

Marco Palmezzano

Marco Palmezzano (1460–1539) was an Italian painter and architect, belonging to the Forlì painting school, who painted in a style recalling earlier Northern Renaissance models. He was mostly active near Forlì.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Walters Art Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.