Description
The painting Holy Family with the Infant St John The Baptist by Francesco De Mura is an 18th-century masterpiece noted for its refined artistic style and harmonious composition. The work shows the Holy Family, made up of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus, together with little Saint John the Baptist, who holds a cross in his hand.
De Mura's artistic style is characterized by his ability to create graceful and delicate figures, with great attention to detail and a soft and luminous painting technique. In this work, the artist uses a palette of soft and warm colors, which bring a sense of calm and serenity to the scene.
The composition of the painting is very balanced, with the characters arranged in a perfect triangle that guides the viewer's gaze towards the center of the work. Light and shadows are carefully worked to create a three-dimensional effect, which brings the figures to life and makes them appear almost lifelike.
The history of the painting is interesting, since it is known that it was commissioned by Cardinal Spinelli in the 18th century and that it was part of his private collection. Later, the work was acquired by the Rothschild family and finally reached the Prado Museum in Madrid, where it is currently located.
One of the lesser known aspects of this work is that De Mura used his wife as a model for the figure of the Virgin Mary, giving the painting a personal and emotional touch. Furthermore, it is believed that the artist was inspired by the work of other great masters such as Raphael and Correggio to create this masterpiece.
In short, the painting Holy Family with the Infant St John The Baptist is an exceptional work of art that stands out for its refined artistic style, harmonious composition, and soft, warm color palette. The history of the work and its lesser-known aspects make it a fascinating piece to admire and study.