apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity galleryblog
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

writingsourcesmethodsaboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Holy Family with Saints Catherine of Alexandria and John the Baptist
Holy Family with Saints Catherine of Alexandria and John the Baptist by Palma Vecchio

plate no. 1667

Holy Family with Saints Catherine of Alexandria and John the Baptist

Palma Vecchio

oilHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfigureslandscapeskyarchitecturereligiousclothing

From the record

Dimensions
126 cm high
Institution
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Location
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Inception
1525
Materials
oil paint, canvas
Movement
Venetian school, High Renaissance
  • Holy Family
  • Catherine of Alexandria
  • John the Baptist

Wikipedia article · Wikidata item Q109928591

from the sources

  • The painting is an oil-on-canvas work by Palma Vecchio, dated about 1520-1528, and is now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice. en.wikipedia.org

    “Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Catherine is a c. 1520-1528 oil on canvas painting by Palma Vecchio, now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.”

  • Titian finished the painting after Palma Vecchio died. en.wikipedia.org

    “It was completed by Titian after Palma's death.”

  • The painting was commissioned by the Querini, an old Venetian family, and was listed in the catalogue of works still in Palma's studio at his death under the title Flight into Egypt. en.wikipedia.org

    “Commissioned by the Querini (an old Venetian family), it appeared in the catalogue of works still in Palma's studio upon his death under the title Flight into Egypt.”

  • The painting was owned by Widmann and then Passamano, and in 1900 the dealer Alessandro Bedendo acquired it, together with Palma's Saint Jerome Meditating, for its present owner. en.wikipedia.org

    “It was owned by Widmann then Passamano before in 1900 being acquired for its present owner by the art dealer Alessandro Bedendo with Palma's Saint Jerome Meditating.”

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and figure placement.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main color areas for the figures and background.

  3. step 03

    Begin refining the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.

  4. step 04

    Develop the drapery, focusing on folds and highlights.

  5. step 05

    Work on the background, establishing depth and atmospheric perspective.

  6. step 06

    Refine the details of the faces and hands.

  7. step 07

    Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures.

  8. step 08

    Glaze to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · red · blue · green · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create depth in the drapery by layering shades of the primary colors with black and white.

techniques

  • ·figure drawing
  • ·drapery rendering
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·glazing
  • ·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

  • →Incorrect proportions of the figures.
  • →Flat, lifeless drapery.
  • →Lack of depth in the background.
  • →Muddy color mixing.
  • →Overworking the details.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·Stretched canvas 24x36
  • ·Oil paints (red, blue, green, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ivory black)
  • ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
  • ·Palette
  • ·Linseed oil
  • ·Turpentine
  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Rags

optional

  • ·Medium gloss
  • ·Retouch varnish
  • ·Mahl stick

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

The Adoration of the Kings

The Adoration of the Kings

Giorgione

The Annunciation

The Annunciation

Vittore Carpaccio

Madonna and Child with Saints Liberale and Francis (The Castelfranco Madonna)

Madonna and Child with Saints Liberale and Francis (The Castelfranco Madonna)

Giorgione

St. Helena

St. Helena

Cima da Conegliano

St. Nicholas of Tolentino

St. Nicholas of Tolentino

Pietro Perugino

Portrait of Elizabeth Gonzaga

Portrait of Elizabeth Gonzaga

Raphael

Sibyl

Sibyl

Dosso Dossi

Madonna with Child and Saints

Madonna with Child and Saints

Raphael