Current knowledge

Sebastiano del Piombo

The Holy Family with St Catherine, St Sebastian and a Donor

Photo © RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) 70
Current measurements: 
95cm x 136cm
Date: 
c.1507-08

Bought for Charles I by the Spanish ambassador Francis Cottington, this work has subsequently changed attribution from Giorgione to Sebastiano del Piombo – many pictures in the inventories were optimistically assigned to the Venetian artist Giorgione, who is known to have painted only a limited number of works. This work contributes to the theme of family and upbringing that is so evident from the room hang.

Sale Inventory c.1649-51
Walpole Society reference (1972):