Holy Family after 1611

Bartolomeo Schedoni made this drawing, Holy Family, sometime around the late 16th or early 17th century. Schedoni lived during a transformative period in Europe, marked by religious conflict and the rise of powerful dynasties. This intimate portrayal of the Holy Family invites us to consider the roles of its members. Mary looks downward with care towards her son, while Joseph is slightly removed with his gaze averted. The cross that the Christ Child is holding alludes to his destiny. How does Schedoni negotiate the tension between the personal and the canonical? The placement of the figures invites us to focus on the humanity of the subjects, prompting reflection on familial bonds, duty, and sacrifice. We are left to consider the cultural norms and expectations that shape our understanding of family.