Artwork
The Silence
The Silence is a print by Philip Soye. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Silence is an engraved print created by Philip Soye around 1550. It is based on a Holy Family scene by Michelangelo and exists in a second state with certain elements removed.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene of a woman nursing a baby, accompanied by an older man and a young child holding a staff. The title suggests a symbolic interpretation, with the woman's calm demeanor implying a deeper significance.
Technique & Style
The print is executed on paper using engraving techniques. The figures are rendered in flowing robes, set against a background that appears to be a stone floor with a draped cloth above.
History & Provenance
The print is a reproduction of a work by Michelangelo, with modifications made in its second state, including the removal of a tablet and inscription.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Soye made a single known print, *The Silence*, in the mid-1500s, a quiet, finely etched sheet where a lone figure kneels in a dim room lit only by a high window.
