Saint Joseph in Half-Length, Holding the Christ Child

Bartolomeo Biscaino

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts an engraving of two figures, showing a full view of an infant and the upper body of an older man. The older man is seated or standing closely, leaning his head against the infant. Facial features of the older man include a prominent forehead, a Roman nose, and a full beard. The infant has a plump face with curly hair and seems to be lying in the arms of the man. Their clothing is not clearly defined beyond shadows hinting at draped fabric. No jewelry is visible. The figures appear to be illuminated from behind or within, as indicated by the line work representing light rays around the infant's head. The background is mainly crosshatched shading, and the scene is within a rectangular frame on aged paper with handwritten notations above and below the engraved area.