The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist 1524 - 1526

Perino del Vaga painted the Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist in Italy, sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Here, the artist gives us an intimate glimpse into the lives of revered religious figures. Notice how the image creates meaning through visual cues. The dove, for example, which is held by the infant Christ, represents the Holy Spirit and peace. The placement of the figures creates a tight pyramidal composition, which was very popular at the time. But, this domestic presentation tells us a great deal about the social structures of the time. During the Renaissance, wealthy families would often commission similar paintings to demonstrate their piety, their refinement, and of course, their wealth. Religious imagery was thus interwoven with social display. To understand this painting better, we might research the patronage system of the time. This reminds us that art always exists in relation to social and institutional contexts.