Skip to Main Content

The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Margaret

c. 1488–93
(Italian, 1457–1504)
Italy, 15th century
tempera and oil on wood
Framed: 184 x 186 x 9.5 cm (72 7/16 x 73 1/4 x 3 3/4 in.); Diameter: 153 cm (60 1/4 in.)
The Delia E. Holden Fund and a fund donated as a memorial to Mrs. Holden by her children: Guerden S. Holden, Delia Holden White, Roberta Holden Bole, Emery Holden Greenough, Gertrude Holden McGinley 1932.227
Location: not on view
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

This type of painting is known as a tondo, a circular work of art.

Description

Lippi’s sophisticated composition gracefully overlaps five figures in a round format. Oliviero Carafa, Cardinal of Naples, commissioned this work, although Lippi probably painted it in Rome while working for the cardinal’s family, an example of the widespread taste across Italy for the art of Florence. Meticulously detailed still-life elements on the parapet, thick with symbolic meaning, reflect Lippi’s interest in northern European painting he would have seen in Florence. Likewise the classical architecture—referring to the pagan world cast off by Christianity—demonstrates his engagement with ancient art and architecture in Rome. Embellished with learned references and made with expensive materials, this painting would have actively inspired religious meditation and demonstrated the patrons’ courtly, civilized taste.
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Margaret

The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Margaret

c. 1488–93

Filippino Lippi

(Italian, 1457–1504)
Italy, 15th century

See Also

Videos

The Holy Family

Why is This Painting Round?

The Artist, Filippino Lippi

Visually Similar by AI

CMA Store

 (opens in new tab)
Small Sword Poster
Small Sword Poster
In the eighteenth century, the smallsword was designed to be a light, quick weapon. Like the rapier, it was carried by unarmored noblemen. As decorative works, smallswords represent the final stage in the evolution of the sword. This poster pictures one of many on display in the Cleveland Museum of Arts Armor Gallery. Size: 36" x 24"
 (opens in new tab)
Riemenschneider and Late Medieval Alabaster
Riemenschneider and Late Medieval Alabaster
by Gerhard Lutz, Curator of Medieval Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art At the center of this publication is Tilman Riemenschneider’s Saint Jerome and the Lion, one of the masterpieces of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Riemenschneider’s Saint Jerome is not only one of the artist’s more important early masterpieces, it is also his only alabaster work in a collection in the USA. Said to have come from the Benedictine abbey church of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany, this sculpture by Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460–1531), dated to c. 1495, depicts the church father Saint Jerome as he removes a thorn from the paw of a lion, a legendary account of the saint’s kindness. Following the common iconography of the scene, Jerome is dressed in the traditional robes of a Roman cardinal, with the cowl draped over his tonsured head and the broad-brimmed hat on his right leg. Traces of polychromy and gilding suggest that it was once brightly colored. Drill holes in the hat further indicate that cords and tassels of fabric, typical of a cardinal’s hat, would once have decorated the sculpture. Whether the statue was originally commissioned for an altar in a private chapel or smaller space in the monastery remains unknown. Alabaster was prized for its luster and capacity for fine details from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. The gleaming stone was used for altarpieces and small sculptures, as well as the tombs of wealthy princes. The book unites works from the medieval collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and selected masterworks from North American museums and the Louvre in Paris, which allows insight into the characteristics of alabaster sculptures in this period. It is striking that these works are of such a particularly exquisite quality that this material was used especially for high-ranking commissions, such as the tomb of Duke Philip the Bold of Burgundy in Champmol near Dijon. The book is accompanied by several essays that examine the subject of alabaster sculpture from different perspectives. Published March 2023 180 pages with 158 images
 (opens in new tab)
Art: The Definitive Visual History
Art: The Definitive Visual History
by Andrew Graham Dixon Discover more than 2,500 of the world’s most influential paintings and sculptures in this beautifully- illustrated guide to the history of art. Introducing Art: The Definitive Visual Guide – an invaluable reference book that spans 30,000 years of global art history, from cave paintings to contemporary art, and showcases the works of over 700 artists in striking detail to truly bring the artwork to life. Each artistic movement, from the Italian Renaissance to Impressionism to Graffiti Art, is explained in clear detail with descriptions of their origins and influences, characteristic styles and techniques, and typical subjects.A visual timeline of key works gives an overview of the scope of each major movement, while graphics, overlays, and detailed close-ups, show readers how to "read" composition and subject matter, and explain the specifics of the techniques and methods the artist used to create their masterpieces.Explore the pages of this awe-inspiring art history book to discover: - Over 2500 of the world’s most influential paintings and sculptures- Features stunning artwork from more than 700 artists- ‘Closer Look’ sections offer a detailed analysis of key paintings The 6 core chapters are structured chronologically, starting with prehistoric art and ancient civilizations, right the way up until modern-day artwork, so there’s something for everyone to explore, learn and love. From Romanticism in the 19th Century to Realism in the 20th Century, whether it’s Pop Art or Expressionism, Minimalism and so much more – the beautiful full-color illustrations and striking imagery, make this art book the perfect gift for the art and history lover in your life, as well as an ideal coffee table book.Doubling up as a riveting reference book for anyone with an interest in art history who wants to gain a broader knowledge of the subject, as well as the perfect classroom companion in schools, libraries and more. Created in collaboration with Bridgeman, the biggest art library in the world, Art: The Definitive Visual Guide is a must-have for your bookshelf. 612 pages, Hardcover Published 2018
 (opens in new tab)
Two Handed Sword Poster
Two Handed Sword Poster
The sword depicted in this poster is just one from a series marked with the crown monogram of Duke Julius of Brunswick-Lununeburg. Used by the Duke's bodyguards, each sword such as the one pictured is distinguished by the fish-shaped crossbar on the hilt and pierced, crutch-shaped pommels. By the late 1600s these enormous swords had a largely ceremonial use. Size: 36" x 13"

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.