Oil paint on octagonal copper (hand reversed), depicting the Holy Family of cherries. Mid-seventeenth century ...

Oil paint on octagonal copper (hand reversed), depicting the Holy Family of cherries. Mid-seventeenth century, allegedly by Elizabetta Sirani (Bologna, 1638 - Bologna, 1665). Octagonal frame in antique tortoise shell. Cm 29,5x22,5. With frame cm 38x31.

Enchanting example of Marian painting, called "Quadretto da letto"(small bed painting), used for prayers and meditations. The light, through the half-hues's use, emphasizes the faces and the whitened. Furthermore, the character's gazes are marked by sweetness and the composition is made interesting by a gestural play made of hands.
Certainly the author of the painting gave to this very simple scene a great resolution of family intimacy. The main character of the painting is Saint Joseph, in which the role of earthly father, is enhanced in the period of the Counter-Reformation, which re-evaluates the centrality of his figure on the Divine plane. The act of offering cherries highlights the intimate correspondence between father and son and constitutes the centrality of the painting." ASOR Studio