Spanish school; 19th century. "Holy Family of the Little Bird". Oil on canvas. It presents faults, losses and perforations. Measurements: 145 x 185 cm; 153 x 195 cm (frame). In this work we can see how the author has made a copy of the Holy Family of the little bird by Murillo, located in the Prado Museum. The artist has captured the precise, firm drawing, the nuances of its chromatic tones, still severe, and the tenebrist lighting used by Murillo. However, in this case the brushstrokes are looser and more sketchy, which is a far cry from the original piece and makes this replica a new work which the artist has used to practice and develop his artistic technique. The artist depicts Saint Joseph, the Virgin and Child in a domestic setting full of tenderness. The Virgin unravels a skein of thread as she watches her son, leaning on St Joseph, play, showing a bird to a little white dog. Saint Joseph acquires a new prominence in this work, which reflects the increase in devotion to him during the Counter-Reformation. The apparently simple composition emphasises domestic life, family and work, symbolised by Joseph's carpenter's bench and the Virgin engaged in sewing. The intense chiaroscuro lighting reflects the influence of Italian painting and is characteristic of many Spanish Baroque painters. It is likely that this painting was made by one of the Prado's copyists. In its rooms, a multitude of future artists have traditionally had the opportunity to learn by copying the works of the great masters. Despite being a very common practice during the 19th and early 20th centuries, today the Prado Museum is the only museum in the capital that admits copyists on a reduced scale so that they do not interrupt the flow of visitors.