Artwork
Sfânta Familie cu sfîntul Ioan Botezătorul copil (Madonna del Silenzio)
Sfânta Familie cu sfîntul Ioan Botezătorul copil (Madonna del Silenzio) is an unspecified painting by Marcello Venusti. It is held in the collection of the Timișoara National Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This painting, 'Sfânta Familie cu sfîntul Ioan Botezătorul copil (Madonna del Silenzio)', is a 16th-century Italian Mannerist work by Marcello Venusti, depicting a serene scene from Christian tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows the Holy Family, including the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, accompanied by the infant Saint John the Baptist and an older figure, likely Saint Joseph, in a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Technique & Style
The composition is characterized by restrained emotion, with a focus on the faces of the figures, illuminated by soft light from a window on the right, while the rest of the scene fades into shadow, creating a sense of depth and calm.
History & Provenance
Venusti, born near Como, was active in Rome and known for his association with Perino del Vaga and for creating a scaled oil copy of Michelangelo's 'Last Judgement'. The painting is now held in the Museum of Ethnography.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marcello Venusti (1512 – 15 October 1579) was an Italian Mannerist painter active in Rome in the mid-16th century.
