Spanish school of the last third of the 17th century

Spanish school of the last third of the 17th century.
"St. Joseph with the Child Jesus".
Oil on canvas.
Relined.
Presents craquelure and slight damage to the frame.
Measurements: 85 x 62,5 cm; 95 x 73,5 cm (frame).

At the beginning of the XVII century the representation of San José with the Child became popular, having been until then the paternal figure relegated to second term with respect to the Virgin. Francisco Herrera El Viejo, to whom the present painting is attributed, dealt with this theme on more than one occasion. This is a work of quality. The small body of Jesus has been modeled with subtle light shifts that envelop him in a supernatural aura without the need to introduce orthodox iconography. On the contrary, what is reinforced is the supreme moment of the union between father and son. Both squint their eyelids, inviting us to share their silence. The expressive contrast of light, the quality of the foreshortening of the small body, the velvety shades that chisel the atheistic features of Joseph and the marble flesh of Jesus, remind us of other works by the author.