Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist Bolognese School, second half of the 17th century

Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist

Bolognese School, second half of the 17th century

Oil on canvas

Canvas size: 46 × 38 cm

Framed size: 55 × 47 cm

Carved and gilded frame, later (probably 18th century)

The Virgin holds the Christ Child on her lap. At her side, Saint Joseph looks on with gentle affection, while the young Saint John the Baptist—identified by his reed cross—kneels in the foreground. The intimate and composed scene reflects the style of the 17th-century Bolognese school, where naturalism is softened by a classical idealization of form.

The painting retains a harmonious patina with some superficial abrasions, likely due to age and earlier cleaning or restoration. There are no significant losses of paint.

The XX century frame , in gilt wood. 

A typical example of Italian devotional painting from the late 1600s, balanced in tone and gesture.