On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00746
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- The Holy Family
- Chronology
- 1788-1790
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 203 cm x 143 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COMPRA
- Procedence
- Acquisition, 1877
The use of a strictly pyramidal
composition and of tight and
rounded forms for both the
anatomies and the clothing, as well
as the intensity of the light,
indicate that Goya was still under
the direct influence of the
painting of Anton Rafael Mengs. The
treatment of the subject also
denotes the closeness of this work
to Goya's Italian period, when he
had the occasion to study numerous
models of Madonna with the Christ
Child and little Saint John.
The figures of the children here
are linked to others in Goya's
work, giving a touch of originality
and realism to a scene considered
conventional.
Location on the map
