On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00960
- Author
- Murillo, Bartolomé Esteban (Spanish)
- Title
- The Holy Family with a Little Bird
- Chronology
- Ca. 1650
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 144 cm x 188 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCIONREAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
A domestic scene filled with
tenderness showing the Virgin Mary
winding a skein of thread and
watching the Christ Child, who
leans on Saint Joseph while he
plays with a little bird and a dog.
The almost leading role of the
saint corresponds to the increased
worship of his figure during the
Counterreformation.
The apparently insignificant
composition of this painting exalts
home life, the family and work. The
latter is symbolized by Saint
Joseph's carpenter's bench and the
Virgin's sewing basket.
The strong chiaroscuro lighting of
this composition reflects the
influence of Italian painters,
especially Barocci (Urbino
1535-1612).
This work is listed in various
private collections before it
became a part of Queen Isabel de
Farnesio's collection in 1746. It
was taken to Paris by José I, were
it was part of the Napoleonic
Museum between 1810 and 1817. It
entered the Prado Museum in
1819.
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