Saint Joseph’s Dream
Technical details
Description
This important Italian artist (1703-1766), who painted in the Rococo style, arrived in Spain as court painter to King Ferdinand VI. He remained in Madrid until 1762 and was very active as a decorator of ceilings and painter of religious and mythologically themed paintings for the new royal palace. During this time he painted the very beautiful painting of the Dream of Saint Joseph, with its delicate colours and loose and rapidly executed brushstrokes, more particularly in the ethereal figure of the angel that appears to a slumbering Saint Joseph in order to calm any fears over the paternity of Jesus. In the background, in another room, is the Virgin with the Child Jesus in her arms, and over them in an outpouring of Glory is the Holy Spirit. At the top, on the left in the shadows, two little angels are carrying the crown of stars to place over Mary's head, and sword lilies or irises as a symbol of virginal purity.