Holy Family with St Catherine and St Barbara

Karel Škréta

Karel Škréta - Holy Family with St Catherine and St Barbara
Most probably coming from the Old Town church of St Martin in the Wall, this painting represents the Holy Family with St Catherine and St Barbara. The two saints are kneeling before the Child of God, offering him their sacrifice, symbolized by the martyrs’ palm branches, which they give him. The Infant Jesus is blessing them, thus accompanying and supporting them on their way. He is depicted as seated on a socle, which is reminiscent of an offering altar. The reliefs with Old Testament scenes on the sides of the base are related to Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. This work of exceptional quality is interesting in its compositional arrangement, the harmoniously balanced colour scheme, the lovely figural types of girls and children, and the treatment of material with the brilliant brushwork. This painting ranks among the masterly samples of Škréta’s oeuvre, proving this artist’s inspir - ation found in the Italian Early-Baroque painting.
date:
measurements: height 237 cm
width 177 cm
material: canvas
technique: oil
inscription:
inventory number: O 1346
gallery collection: Collection of Old Masters

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