The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist

In this appealing image of familial harmony, the infant Christ clutches his cousin in a tight embrace while Mary casts a loving glance at Joseph. Annibale Carracci helped to found an art academy in Bologna that played an instrumental role in the development of Italian Baroque art. As a printmaker, Carracci combined engraving with the medium of etching to capture atmospheric effects and create a range of textures. Here, he surrounds areas of blank, white paper with areas of delicately sketched lines to suggest light shining upon the figures.