The Holy Family

Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo's Holy Family belongs to his extensive production of intimate devotional groups for private Ferrarese patrons and the Este court. Following his early contact with Roman High Renaissance painting, Garofalo incorporated Raphaelesque figure types into the Ferrarese tradition of warm colorism and tender family feeling. His Holy Family compositions typically show Mary and Joseph with the Christ child in a landscape setting, the figures arranged with classical balance while maintaining the emotional warmth that distinguished Ferrarese painting from the more monumental Roman tradition he had absorbed.

The devotional composition displays Garofalo's warm Ferrarese palette and Raphaelesque figure types. The intimate scale and gentle mood are suited to private contemplation.