PROVENANCE: French private collection; Julius Weitzner, New York, 1955; BJU, 1955; M&G, 2004

Like all of the primary Utrecht Caravaggisti, Honthorst studied with Abraham Bloemaert before traveling to Rome . After coming under the spell of Caravaggio's art, he returned to Utrecht to lead the movement of the "Candlelight Painters." After great success in Utrecht , Honthorst went to London in 1628 to become court painter to King Charles I. He was one of the few Dutch painters of his day who achieved international fame.

The spirit of Caravaggio is found in Honthorst's use of peasant-type models and in the nebulous dark background. This rendition of everyday life espouses the qualities of family unity and hard work. Such details as the tools and facial types were as familiar to the original viewers as their neighbors were. But the subtle indication of halos distinguishes these characters from a contemporary Dutch family, identifying them as the Holy Family. The intimate, domestic quality permeating the scene generates great appreciation from today's viewer.

David Steel notes that the popular trend in Caravaggisti subject matter of emphasizing Joseph perhaps resulted from the widespread influence of St. Teresa of Avila 's writings. She not only had visions and wrote extensively about Joseph, but also named after him all of the convents that she founded.