Francesco Granacci, Italian, 1469-1543
Title: Rest on the Flight into Egypt with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Date: c.1494
Medium: Tempera and oil on wood panel
Dimensions:
100 x 71 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1866
Object Number: NGI.98
DescriptionThis delicate picture of the Holy Family was painted by one of the most gifted pupils of Domenico Ghirlandaio. Francesco Granacci was an apprentice in Ghirlandaio’s workshop in Florence at the same time as Michelangelo, and the two pupils became close friends, also sharing the experience of studying sculpture in the Medici Garden at San Marco.
The Virgin with the Child and St John is a compact group, constructed in a sculptural manner, a reflection of Michelangelo’s influence. However, the presence of Ghirlandaio’s style is also evident in many parts, such as the beautiful, gentle face of the Virgin and the colourful landscape, where St Joseph leads a donkey forward. When Granacci painted this picture, regarded as one of his masterpieces, he was in his mid-20s. It is certain that this composition obtained some success, as it was copied a number of times, and Granacci himself repeated it once, many years later, with a richer sfumato.
The Virgin with the Child and St John is a compact group, constructed in a sculptural manner, a reflection of Michelangelo’s influence. However, the presence of Ghirlandaio’s style is also evident in many parts, such as the beautiful, gentle face of the Virgin and the colourful landscape, where St Joseph leads a donkey forward. When Granacci painted this picture, regarded as one of his masterpieces, he was in his mid-20s. It is certain that this composition obtained some success, as it was copied a number of times, and Granacci himself repeated it once, many years later, with a richer sfumato.
ProvenanceComte de Choiseul-Praslin, Paris; purchased, Drouot, Paris, 12-14 March 1866, Comte de Choiseul-Praslin sale, lot 15
Exhibition HistoryCentenary Exhibition, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, October - December 1964
Making & Meaning: The Young Michelangelo, National Gallery, London, 19 October 1994 - 15 January 1995
Making & Meaning: The Young Michelangelo, National Gallery, London, 19 October 1994 - 15 January 1995
Label TextThis painting depicts an episode from the New Testament when the Holy Family fled to Egypt after Joseph dreamt that Herod, King of Judea, intended to kill the Christ Child. Joseph is shown leading a donkey in the background, while the Virgin rests with Christ and his young cousin Saint John the Baptist. The Florentine artist Granacci became friends with Michelangelo when they were pupils studying under Domenico Ghirlandaio in Florence. Michelangelo’s influence is visible in this painting, especially in the compact, sculptural arrangement of the three main figures.