This painting represents the most popular of all Venetian 16th century themes, the Holy Family in a landscape (see also Bonifazio Veronese).  The small format suggests private devotional use, rather than the decorative effect which is so obvious in most Venetian painting. The source for the composition is, as usual in this type of work, the early work of Titian. However, the hilly landscape background, with the town perched on a steep hill, suggests a Northern influence, which came to Venice via Dürer.

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