Tempera on canvas (transferred from panel) 72.5 x 56.5 cm

This is an early work created by Raphael in Florence. Here the artist frees the figures from the level of everyday life and raises them to a plane of harmony and perfection. Soft and flowing lines typical of Raphael, the colouring and the poses of the figures, all create a scene of harmony, simplicity and splendour. Departing from tradition, the artist depicted St Joseph without a beard, hence the painting's second title.