Late 18th century

The House at Nazareth

Artist/maker unknown

In the family home at Nazareth, a youthful Christ learns carpentry from his father Joseph. His mother is seated nearby with needlework in her lap and her hands crossed in prayer. Angels help to carry wood planks, while colorful birds soar against a distant mountainous landscape. That this is no ordinary family is confirmed by the dramatic red curtain that frames the scene and the dove of the Holy Spirit who descends from heaven in a white cloud.

Images of the private life of the Holy Family were immensely popular in South America. Although rarely described or mentioned in biblical accounts, stories about the early life of Christ were regarded as pious subjects. Such paintings were made for the art market and acquired by all ranks of colonial society, from indigenous caciques (chiefs) to mine owners and Spanish-born noblemen, all of whom appreciated the religious content and the colorful and appealing compositions.