This brilliant, jewel-like painting represents the marriage of the Virgin Mary to Joseph. Murillo conveys humanity in this religious scene in details such as the tenderly clasped hands of the newly-weds and the women chatting at the left. The vibrant colours and soft modelling of forms make this as one of the artist’s masterpieces. The intimate scale and mahogany panel, a precious wood imported from the New World, indicate that it was probably produced for a wealthy, private patron.