# The Holy Family

**Simone Cantarini** (Pesarese, 1612–1648)  
etching on laid paper

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1971.37.11. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.52522.html).

## About this work

Simone Cantarini made this, aged about 18. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The artwork depicts four human figures, two males and two females, seated. One woman holds a baby, while one man holds a young child. The figures have different hairstyles and clothing, sitting in a natural setting with trees and hills in the background. The scene is drawn in a sketch-like style, focusing on lines and expressions.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Etching.** The artist draws with a needle through a waxy coating on a copper plate, and acid bites the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, wiped and printed under pressure, so the line keeps the freedom of drawing.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Simone Cantarini](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/simone-cantarini)

Pesarese, 1612–1648

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was about 18
- Century: 17th century
- Subjects: Seated figure, family, Tree, Christ Child
- Colour: grey
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1555.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1555/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-holy-family-nga-52522).