The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

The present painting is based on a composition by Francesco Trevisani, of which several versions are known (see F.R. DiFederico, Francesco Trevisani, Washington D.C., 1977, p. 55, no. 63, pl. 51 for a prime version). The treatment of the figures and soft palette are closer to the work of the German-born painter, Ignaz Stern, than to some of Trevisani's Italian contemporaries. Ignaz Stern worked under Carlo Cignani in Forlì early in his career and lived in Rome for over a decade, from 1701 to circa 1713, and it was surely at that time that he came into contact with Trevisani.

We are grateful to Dr. Karin Wolfe for suggesting the attribution to Ignaz Stern on the basis of a transparency (written communication, 6 February 2007).