The Holy Family with the infant St John the Baptist.

Engraving, 48 x 35 cm, laid paper, signed and dated in plate at lower left "1593, HG" (trimmed just outside the platemark, with thread margin, sl. toned paper).

Under wooden frame (not studied outside frame).

Shortly after his return from Italy, Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617) made a series of 6 large engravings representing the "Life of the Virgin", showcasing his ability to imitate and emulate other artists and printmakers. In these "Masterpieces" Goltzius adopted the style of engraving of Dürer, Lucas van Leyden and Italian contemporaries. In this print in particular, he refered to the compositions of Federico Barocci (1535-1612) engraved by Cornelis Cort. The print is numbered "6" at the lower left. Good, dark impression of the numbered 3rd state (of 3).
Ref. New Hollstein (Goltzius), 13.3. - Strauss 317. - Hirschmann 14.