The Holy Family with Two Female Saints 1727 - 1804

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo rendered this ink wash drawing of the Holy Family sometime in the eighteenth century. Look at the symbols embedded within this scene, rich with religious meaning: halos, signifying holiness, encircle the heads of Christ, Mary, and Joseph, while cherubic figures float above. The female saints, with their outstretched arms, recall the ancient gesture of supplication, found in Roman art and even earlier in votive statues of antiquity. This motif has been resurrected throughout history, reappearing during the Renaissance as a symbol of intercession. Below, a palm frond lies next to discarded armor, a reference to martyrdom and sacrifice. This emblem carries echoes of victory and triumph, yet also of suffering. From early Christian art to Baroque masterpieces, the palm has been a silent witness to the drama of faith. It serves as a poignant reminder of the eternal cycle of death and rebirth, perpetually imprinted in our collective memory.