Artwork
Holy Family with a Bird
Holy Family with a Bird is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simon Vouet. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Holy Family with a Bird, an etching on laid paper created by Simon Vouet in 1633, is a religious work held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus in a close, intimate grouping. Joseph holds a bird on a string, an element likely symbolizing peace or the soul, adding a layer of depth to the scene.
Technique & Style
Vouet employed soft etching techniques, combined with drypoint lines of scratchy yet delicate quality, to achieve a warm, cozy glow emanating from the top left. Fine cross-hatching details the background wall.
History & Provenance
Created in 1633 by Simon Vouet, a pivotal figure in introducing Italian Baroque to France, the work reflects his influence as Premier peintre du Roi under Louis XIII. Its current location is the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Context
Vouet's style, as seen in this piece, can be contextualized alongside contemporaries like Georges de La Tour, known for candlelit scenes, highlighting the shared and distinct elements of early 17th-century French Baroque.
Artist & collection
Artist
Simon Vouet (French pronunciation: ; 9 January 1590 – 30 June 1649) was a French painter who studied and rose to prominence in Italy before being summoned by Louis XIII to serve as Premier peintre du Roi in France.
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