The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John 1500 - 1510

Giovanni Antonio da Brescia created this engraving, "The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John," around the early 16th century. At first glance, the composition strikes you with its symmetrical balance. The figures are arranged in a shallow space, defined by delicate, interwoven lines that articulate form and shadow. The artist's use of line creates a dense network that models the drapery and bodies, giving the scene a sense of restrained emotionality. Notice how the linear quality and careful arrangement of figures invite us to consider how the piece creates meaning through its structure. The engraving captures a historical and intellectual context that reflects philosophical concerns about representation and the human form. The composition is an exercise in the way the artwork invites ongoing interpretation and reinterpretation.