Holy Family with Saints Anne and Joachim
- Artist: Lorenzo Lotto
- Date: (?) 1535
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Holy Family with Saints Anne and Joachim" by Lorenzo Lotto. Created in 1535, it is an oil on canvas that showcases the artist's command of color and composition. Lotto, active in the early 16th century, chose a medium that permits subtle shifts in tone and a luminous finish. The canvas bears the marks of careful brushwork, suggesting a study in balance and harmony. In this piece, the Holy Family is flanked by Saints Anne and Joachim, creating a scene that feels intimate yet reverent. Light—Lotto's hallmark—illuminates the faces and gestures, drawing the eye to the central figures. While the composition remains formal, the warmth of the colors adds immediacy, inviting viewers into quiet devotion. Observers note how the detail in drapery and the subtle background add depth without overwhelming the narrative. Overall, this 1535 oil on canvas offers a glimpse into Lotto's mature style, where religious subject matter meets personal expression in a balanced and engaging visual experience.
See it in person
Holy Family with Saints Anne and Joachim hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
