The Holy Family

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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The Virgin Mary holds her clothing out the way as Christ leans towards her to breastfeed, and Saint Joseph dotes upon him. By using a plain dark background and a tightly cropped close-up view, Signorelli invites us to share in this intimate moment.

Signorelli was well known for his ability to paint the human body convincingly; here, Christ has a study torso and chubby folds of baby fat around his armpits and inner thighs. He holds a strawberry plant in his hand, a symbol of his fruitful and righteous life.

The picture was heavily restored before entering the National Gallery’s collection, and discoloured paint from the restoration remains near the Virgin’s ear, and in Christ’s left shoulder and Joseph’s face, as well as in the draperies.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Holy Family

Date

probably about 1490-5

Medium

Oil on wood

Measurements

H 80.6 x W 64.8 cm

Accession number

NG2488

Acquisition method

Salting Bequest, 1910

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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