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Christ lies across his mother’s lap in a position intended to recall the pietà, when his dead body was returned to her after the Crucifixion. Saint Joseph watches him sleeping and the infant John the Baptist raises his finger to his lips, asking us for silence. The Virgin holds open a Bible. The position of the fingers of her other hand suggests that she was originally meant to be lifting a veil from her child. The hourglass marks the passing of time and symbolises the inevitability of death. As the sand runs from the upper bulb to the lower one, Christ’s sacrifice, as prophesied in the Bible, comes ever closer. This is one of many painted copies based on a presentation drawing in red chalk by Michelangelo (Harley Gallery, Nottinghamshire), which dates from about 1538.
Title
The Holy Family (Il Silenzio)
Date
about 1565
Medium
Oil on wood
Measurements
H 43.2 x W 28.6 cm
Accession number
NG1227
Acquisition method
Bought, 1887
Work type
Painting
