Italian school; 18th century."The workshop of St. Joseph.Oil on canvas. Re-tinted.It presents restorations.Measurements: 26,5 x 19 cm.In the centre of the scene a young Jesus holds a hammer between his hands. Accompanied by his parents Mary, Joseph and two little angels, all of them show active attitudes intervening in the carpentry work of the Child, who follows his father's steps. Joseph's work as a carpenter is mentioned in two of the canonical Gospels, but is further developed in an apocryphal Gospel. St. Joseph was an exemplary husband of Mary, a good father and protector of his family. His work soon established him as the acknowledged patron saint of carpenters. From the end of the 15th century onwards, the promotion of the putative father of Christ, to whom the mystics also devoted fervent devotion, became increasingly evident. Until the Counter-Reformation, the figure of St. Joseph was usually secondary to that of the Child, since no theological importance was attached to him. However, after the Council of Trent, his leading role as the protector of Jesus during his infancy and as a guide during his youth was revived, and he is depicted here as such. In contrast to the tenderness, defencelessness and candour of the infant figure, Saint Joseph is presented as the support and sustenance of the Child. Through this form of representation, the author visually emphasises the decisive role of Jesus' putative father as his protector.