Denijs Calvaert (1540 - 1619)

Denijs Calvaert (1540 – 1619), Holy Family With The Infant Saint John The Baptist
The present painting is made by the Flemish painter Denijs Calvaert, influenced by Correggio and his masters Prospero Fontana and Lorenzo Sabattini. The Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph are shown as caring parents of the Christ Child, who standing above the cradle turns his gaze to Saint John the Baptist and the lamb. The Baptist is dressed in the animal furs that predict his preaching in the desert. In the background, composed by a purple curtain, two angels hold out a beautiful crown of roses on the head of Jesus. The figures with delicate features are represented in profile or in three-quarter profile. The intense and luminous colors demonstrate the close affiliation with Raphael Sanzio, who Calvaert had the opportunity to see during his stay in Rome. It is in many ways a characteristic work of Calvaert. Typical elements of the master that are found here are both the smoothness of the application of the color, which evokes the enamel, and the choice of the subject, influenced by intense feelings. The Flemish Calvaert, who spent most of his life in Italy, knew how to combine in his work the powerful colorism of the Flemish mannerists with multiple Italian influences. Thus was born his exquisitely personal style, which made him one of the most important artists of his time. Accompanied by a certificate written by Dr. Klaus Ertz, Oil on copper plate, 41 x 29,7 cm