The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the infant Saint John the Baptist, holding a goldfinch on a string (ca. 1778–86)
Original title: The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the infant Saint John the Baptist, holding a goldfinch on a string
kurzbeschreibung
Raphael Morghen produced this engraving between roughly 1778 and 1786. It presents the Holy Family, Saint Elizabeth, and the young John the Baptist, who holds a goldfinch tethered by a string. The style is Neoclassical, with cleanly set lines.
Description
Mary sits with the Christ Child on her lap, holding a cloth. Opposite her, on the left, Saint Joseph has taken his place and looks toward a woven basket. Also on Mary's lap sits the little John, who leads a goldfinch on a string. A column and a patch of sky close off the back. The layout is symmetrical, with the figures centered. Light falling from above traces contours and the folds of garments.
Context
Morghen, an Italian engraver, became known for his reproductions after works by recognized painters. This print was made in the second half of the 18th century, when reproductive printmaking spread widely across Europe. The Holy Family with John the Baptist ranked among art history's favored subjects, often highlighting childlike innocence and sacred kinship.
Impact
The clear lines and balanced arrangement convey a calm, harmonious impression. Through finely graduated shading, the figures gain a sculptural presence that draws the viewer into a contemplative mood.
Technique
This sheet is an engraving: lines are incised into a copper plate and then printed on paper. Varying line thickness and spacing create the gray tones and allow for nuanced tonal gradation. The precise execution attests to Morghen's craft and the high quality of printmaking in his era.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)