The Holy Family With The Young Saint John - Attributed To Simone Cantarini (1612–1648)

"The Holy Family with the Young Saint John"
Simone Cantarini (Pesaro, 1612 –Verona, 1648) circle
Oil on canvas
17th century
Canvas 30 x 23 cm
Frame 44 x 36 cm

The painting depicts the Holy Family in a moment of serene intimacy with the young St. John the Baptist devoutly kissing the Infant Jesus.

This is evidently a sketch executed in oil on canvas around the mid-17th century by a Bolognese artist associated with the Pesaro-born but Bologna-based master, Simone Cantarini.

The rather rare feature that places the work in this context is the typical oriental headdress adorning the Madonna’s head, which almost never appears in portraits of the Virgin except in the paintings of the Pesaro-born Master.

This detail makes the small canvas highly evocative, while also offering an interesting insight into the actual image of women at that time.

Despite its modest size, the painting is very attractive, featuring a vivid palette dominated by bright red. It has been re-stretched and fitted with a beautiful antique gilded frame that perfectly enhances this gem. The condition is very good, and the presence of a few minor imperfections does not detract from the painting’s appeal.