The tight framing of the central group draws attention to the Madonna and Child with the Mother looking melancholy and the Child looking towards the viewer. Behind them peeps out the figure of Saint Joseph, leaning on his staff and with his left hand opening the purple curtain that was meant to close the sacred scene. Recent cleaning has revealed a painting of uncommon quality, with a very good state of preservation and perfectly in keeping with the noblest Baroque culture. The typical physiognomies with graceful features, the luminous complexions and the theatricality of the composition are recurring elements in Piola's autograph works The same, for the broad physiognomies and clear complexions, can be said for the beautiful canvas with Venus and Cupid in the Forge of Vulcan now in Palazzo Spinola in Genoa and also, of course, for the frescoes of the Winter at Palazzo Rosso. Oil on canvas , in marvellous original carved frame 80 x 60.5cm , 113 x 95 cm with frame