DISCOVERART

Giovanni Antonio da Brescia

The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John

1500/10
Engraving in black on buff laid paper
30 × 26 cm (11.8 × 10.2 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Giovanni Antonio da Brescia likely used a drawing or painting by his teacher Andrea Mantegna to produce this pared-down scene of the Holy Family, with its strong strokes, relief-like shadows, and crisp details. While the New Testament of the Bible does not mention the meeting between the infant Christ and his young cousin John, the scene was a popular one beginning in the fourth century. In some traditions, the cousins visited Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in Bethlehem just after the Nativity, while others were set in Jerusalem after the Presentation. Importantly, this grouping heralds John’s future role in baptizing the adult Christ.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia

Allegory of the Rescue of Humanity: Virtus DesertaAllegory of the Rescue of Humanity: Virtus DesertaIgnorance and Mercury (an allegory of Virtue and Vice), Mercury kneeling at right holding a staff and taking the hand of a man who emerges from a pile of naked bodies, at left a tree with the torso and head of a woman (Daphne)Ignorance and Mercury (an allegory of Virtue and Vice), MercRisen Christ Between Saints Andrew and LonginusRisen Christ Between Saints Andrew and LonginusEntombmentEntombmentThe Flagellation of Christ who is tied to a column at center set within an arcadeThe Flagellation of Christ who is tied to a column at centerChrist before PilateChrist before PilateHoly Family with St. Elizabeth and the Infant St. John the BaptistHoly Family with St. Elizabeth and the Infant St. John the BDescent into LimboDescent into Limbo

More like this

Holy Family with St. Elizabeth and the Infant St. John the BaptistGiovanni Antonio da Brescia (Italian, about 1460–about 1520)The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the Infant John the BaptistAndrea Mantegna — The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and tThe Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist, St. Francis, and St. Catherine of SienaAndrea Andreani|Jacopo Ligozzi|Heinrich Stacker — The VirginSt. Anne, The Virgin and ChildMaster I.A.M. of Zwolle — St. Anne, The Virgin and ChildThe Adoration of the Magi (Virgin of the Grotto)Andrea Mantegna — The Adoration of the Magi (Virgin of the GThe Virgin and Child enthroned surrounded by saints and angelsGirolamo Mocetto — The Virgin and Child enthroned surroundedThe Virgin and Child with Saint Roch and Two Other Male SaintsBernardino Lanino — The Virgin and Child with Saint Roch andVirgin and ChildAndrea Mantegna (Italian, about 1431–1506) — Virgin and ChilVirgin and ChildAndrea Mantegna — Virgin and ChildVirgin and Child with St. John, St. Catherine of Siena and St. FrancisAndrea Andreani (Italian, about 1558–1610) — Virgin and ChilThe Virgin and Child with Saint John and Three AngelsCristofano Robetta — The Virgin and Child with Saint John anThe Holy FamilyBattista Franco — The Holy Family